Barcelona vs Napoli Champions League round of 16 second leg preview: Where to watch, kick-off time, possible line-ups
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
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When is it? How can you watch it? What are the possible line-ups? All you need to know about the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg between Barcelona and Napoli.
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Barcelona and Napoli meet in their UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg on Tuesday 12 March.
Barcelona vs Napoli at a glance
When: Tuesday 12 March (21:00 CET kick-off)
Where: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona
What: UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg
How to follow: Build-up and live coverage can be found here
Where to watch Barcelona vs Napoli on TV
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.
What do you need to know?
It's all to play for in the return after two of European football's most feared strikers traded blows in the first leg in Naples. Robert Lewandowski swept Barcelona in front on the hour mark with a typically clinical finish but, with 15 minutes remaining, Victor Osimhen showed his strength and composure to leave the tie beautifully poised for the rematch.
Expect the pair to feature heavily again this time around given that Napoli have only failed to score in one of their last 14 UEFA club competition matches against Spanish teams and Lewandowski has 18 goals in 21 appearances in the round of 16.
Predicted line-ups
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Koundé, Araujo, Cubarsí, Martínez; João Cancelo, Christensen, Gündoğan; Lamine Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha
Misses next match if booked: Araújo, De Jong, Ferran Torres, João Félix, Sergi Roberto
Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Østigård, Juan Jesus, Mazzocchi; Zambo Anguissa, Lobotka, Traoré; Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia
Misses next match if booked: none
Form guide
Barcelona
Form (all competitions, most recent first): WDWDWD
Most recent result: Barcelona 1-0 Mallorca, 08/03, Spanish La Liga
Spanish La Liga table
Napoli
Form (all competitions, most recent first): DWWDDD
Most recent result: Napoli 1-1 Torino, 08/03, Italian Serie A
Italian Serie A table
Expert predictions
Graham Hunter, Barcelona reporter
Just as Barça seemed to be demonstrating convincing form and stubborn competitive attitude, injury problems have hit hard again. Pedri's third thigh problem of the season is an immense blow and Frenkie de Jong’s ankle issue might not heal in time for this return leg. Xavi Hernández won this competition four times as a player, and given his impending departure, he will be desperate not to say "adios" to the Champions League this early.
Vieri Capretta, Napoli reporter
It is still all to play for and Napoli seem to be hitting good form going into this vital clash. There have been ups and downs this season for the Italian champions, but under new coach Francesco Calzona, the Partenopei have found some consistency. With key players like Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia delivering, Napoli have what it takes to cause Barcelona problems.
What the coaches say
Xavi Hernández, Barcelona coach: "It is the most important game of the season so far. We are motivated and we are excited, because it has been four years since we reached the quarter-finals. We have to compete against a great rival, who were Italian Serie A champions last year. I hope it will be a magical night for Barcelona fans."
Francesco Calzona, Napoli coach: "We're ready. We have spent a few days ironing out details and the boys are eager to do all they can against Barcelona. It's true that we are still conceding goals, yet slowly but surely we are tightening things up. Barcelona have a clear identity, and Xavi says they're not going to change their approach. We are talking about a team with many options and players. We have to contain them."
Where is the 2024 Champions League final?
The best of the best will be crowned on the ultimate stage when the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League season concludes at London's prestigious Wembley Stadium on Saturday 1 June.