Barcelona reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in four seasons thanks to an excellent victory over a combative Napoli side.
Key moments
15′: Fermín scores after a good pass from Raphinha
17′: João Cancelo increases the advantage with a shot at Raphinha’s post
30′: Rrahmani reduces Naples’ deficit with a beautiful goal
34′: Ter Stegen saves Di Lorenzo’s header
83′: Lewandowski raises a question
The game in a nutshell: Barcelona stronger
Fermín López shoots for Barcelona’s first Getty Images
Blaugrana coach Xavi Hernández, who had started 16-year-old Lamine Yamal in the 1-1 draw in Naples, making him the youngest player to start a knockout stage match in this competition, maintained his faith in youth by also launching 17-year-old Pau Cubarsí this time, for his absolute debut in the Champions League.
It was another young man, 20 years old, who opened the scoring after just 15 minutes, with Fermín finishing well on an excellent pass from Raphinha.
The Brazilian international was also instrumental in the Blaugrana’s second goal, two minutes later, receiving a pass from Yamal before turning inside and shooting at the post. However, on the reload João Cancelo shot just beyond Alex Meret’s reach.
Napoli reacted well, grew in the game and even reduced it. Matteo Politano ran to the touchline and assisted Amir Rrahmani. And Politano himself almost equalized just after half an hour, with a header from Mário Rui’s cross, saved over the bar by Marc-André ter Stegen.
The second half then continued to be divided, with opportunities at both goals, although with Barça more dangerous. And it was the home team who scored and settled the matter, within the final ten minutes. Pass from Gündoğan to substitute Sergi Roberto, who set up Robert Lewandowski for a simple finish.
How it all happened: Barcelona 3-1 Naples
PlayStation® Man of the Match: Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona)
“An excellent game from the young man. Defensively strong and very courageous in the build-up – qualities that are not easy to demonstrate in such an important match.”
UEFA Technical Observer Panel
Reactions
Amir Rrahmani also reduced it for NápolesGetty Images
Xavi Hernández, Barcelona coach: “We played a great game. My team left everything on the pitch. We dominated a large part of the game and I’m very proud of my players for that. This is a moment for us to really enjoy!
Fermín López, Barcelona midfielder: “This club has waited four years to qualify for the quarter-finals of this competition again – this means real joy for the team, the coach and the fans. It was important that we had We started this game very well. We had some opportunities and, after a few shots on goal, mine went in. I’m very happy with that.”
Francesco Calzona, Napoli coach: “We gave them a lot of space, we lost possession many times. The game had different phases, we were good at times and almost equalized. Of course, if we lost, it means something didn’t work. We were ready to face a strong opponent, but we made too many mistakes.”
Amir Rrahmani, scorer of Napoli’s goal: “We can leave with our heads held high. We took risks and played our football, but we didn’t take advantage of our opportunities. We created several, but we didn’t score when we should have.”
Statistics
- Cubarsí (17 years and 50 days) became the youngest player to make his starting debut in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League.
- With Cubarsí and Yamal (16 years, 243 days) in the starting eleven, Barcelona became the first team to start two players aged 17 or under in a knockout match in this competition.
- Since April 2009, when they beat Bayern 2-0 after 12 minutes, Barcelona have not managed to take a two-goal lead in a Champions League game after just 17 minutes.
- With his goal, Lewandowski took his goal tally at this stage of the competition to 19 in 22 games.
- The Blaugrana have not lost the second leg in any of their last 17 UEFA Champions League round of 16 ties.
Best of Fantasy
Amir Rahmani: 9 pontos
Raphinha: 9 pontos
João Cancelo: 8 points
Pau Cubarsí: 8 points
Teams
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Koundé, Ronald Araújo, Cubarsi, John Cancelo; Fermin (Sergi Roberto 60), Christensen (Oriol Romeu 60), Gündoğan; Yamal, Lewandowski, Leaf
Naples: Meret; Lawrence, Rrahmani, John Jesus, Mario Rui (Matthew Olivera 64); Forest Anguissa, Lobotka, Traore; Politano (Stream 64), Osimhen, Quartermaster
What’s next?
Barcelona will be in the quarter-final draw on March 15. The quarter-final games will take place on April 9/10 and 16/17.