Napoli will host Barcelona in the first leg of UCL's last 16

The Italian club Napoli will host the Spanish giants Barcelona in the first leg of the last 16 of the 2023/2024 Champions League on Wednesday, 21 February 2024 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy. The last time Napoli and Barcelona met was in the play-off knockout phase of the 2021/2022 Europa League which ended 1-1 stalemate in the first leg at Camp Nou, the Italian side was eliminated after losing 2-4 in the second leg at home against La Blaugrana.

When they lost 2-4 at home, Napoli's two goals were scored by Lorenzo Insigne in the 23rd minute (penalty) and Matteo Politano in the 87th minute. Meanwhile, Barcelona's four goals were scored by Jordi Alba in the 8th minute, Frenkie de Jong in the 13th minute, Gerard Pique in the 45th minute, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the 59 minutes.

Napoli, during the Champions League group phase this season won three matches, lost two matches and shared a point in one game while scoring 10-9. The Blues' home matches in the UCL group phase this season losing 2-3 to Real Madrid, drew 1-1 against Union Berlin, and won 2-0 against Braga. The Italian club only won 3 times in the last 11 matches in all competitions (W3-D3-L5) and they only scored a total of 3 goals in the last 5 matches in all competitions.

Barca, during the UCL group phase this season won four matches, lost two matches and none of their matches ended in a draw while scoring a total of 12-6 in the league phase. La Blaugrana away matches in the Champions League group phase this season as they won 1-0 against Porto, lost 0-1 against Shakhtar and lost 3-5 against Antwerp. The five-time UCL winner is unbeaten in the last 5 matches in all competitions winning four matches and one match ended in a draw. Xavi-led side has scored at least two goals in seven of the last 8 matches in all competitions.

It is going to be an enthralling contest between two top sides when they clash on a majestic midweek day in UCL. We anticipate that Barca has an upper hand based on their previous record against Napoli, and they are most likely to win this game against the hosts.

Match Details

Match: Napoli vs Barcelona

Date: Thursday, 22 February 2024

Time: 01:30 AM IST

Venue: Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy

Meeting records in the European Cup/UCL

Napoli wins: 0
Draws: 1
Barcelona wins: 1.

4 Meetings So Far b/w Napoli vs Barca

- Napoli 2-4 Barcelona (Europa League)
- Barcelona 1-1 Napoli (Europa League)
- Barcelona 3-1 Napoli (Champions League)
- Napoli 1-1 Barcelona (Champions League).

Last 5 Matches of Napoli

- Napoli 0-1 Inter (Supercoppa)
- Lazio 0-0 Napoli (Serie A)
- Napoli 2-1 Verona (Serie A)
- Milan 1-0 Napoli (Serie A)
- Napoli 1-1 Genoa (Serie A).

Last 5 Matches of Barca's

- Barcelona 3-5 Villarreal (La Liga)
- Barcelona 1-0 Osasuna (La Liga)
-  Alaves 1-3 Barcelona (La Liga)
- Barcelona 3-3 Granada (La Liga)
- Celta 1-2 Barcelona (La Liga).

Probable Playing XI: Napoli vs Barcelona:

Napoli: Meret; Mazzocchi, Ostigard, Rrahmani, Di Lorenzo, Traore, Lobotka, Anguissa, Kvaratskhelia, Politano, Osimhen

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Cancelo, De Jong, Christensen, Gundogan, Yamal, Pedri, Lewandowski

Match Prediction: Napoli 1-2 Barcelona