Barcelona vs Napoli: UEFA Europa League, Match Preview, Lineups, And Dream11 Prediction

Barcelona vs Napoli is the upcoming round of 32 match of the UEFA Europa League. The Catalans are hosting the Gli Azzurri at Camp Nou on 17th February. Read the full match preview, lineups, and Dream11 prediction. 

Match Preview:

For the first time, ever Barcelona is playing in the Europa League. After a disappointing run in the UCL group stages, Barcelona finished 3rd in Group E with just 7 points to their name. On the other hand, Napoli finished second in Group C of the Europa League. This is the second time the teams are facing each other in a European competition.

Barcelona vs Napoli: Round of 32 – UEFA Europa League Match Details

Date– 17/02/2021
Time– 11:15 PM
Venue– Camp Nou
Where to watch in India– Sony Network and Jio TV
Referee- István Kovács (Romania)
Assistant Referees- Vasile Florin Marinescu (Romania), Ovidiu Artene (Romania)

Team News: Barcelona vs Napoli

FC Barcelona:

The Catalans are playing in this competition for the first time in their history. An unfortunate 3rd place finish knocked Barcelona out of the Champions League group stages. However, Barcelona was fortunate enough to survive and play in the Europa League. Under Koeman, the Catalans were struggling to edge past their opponents but somehow managed to save themselves. 

Barcelona is entering into the fixture after a 2-2 draw with Espanyol. Even though Barcelona took the early lead, Espanyol came back and took the lead. Till the very end of the game, Barcelona was on the brink of another shameful defeat. But substitute Luuk De Jong brilliantly headed in the cross from Adama Traore to rescue a point for the Catalans. So given the current situation of the squad, Barcelona should take the lead in this first leg.

Suspensions:

No one is suspended for the upcoming fixture, however, Dani Alves is not available due to not being registered in the UEL Squad.

Injuries/doubtful: 

Ansu Fati, Sergi Roberto, Samuel Umtiti, and Alejandro Blade are all out with their respective injuries and are unavailable for selection. Memphis Depay and Clement Lenglet are also having some muscle issues and are still uncertain if they will be on the bench or not. Ronald Araujo was picked up after his knock vs Espanyol so he is also another doubt for Xavi.

Comebacks:

Apart from the injured ones, Barcelona has all their players available.

Read More: What was the scoreline the last time Barcelona played in Europa League?

Barcelona recent form in all competitions:

2-2 draw against Espanyol
4-2 win over Atletico Madrid
0-1 win over Deportivo Alaves
3-2 defeat against Athletic Bilbao (Copa Del Rey)
2-3 defeat against Real Madrid

SSC Napoli: 

The Italian side, showed decent performance in their UEL run as they finish second with 10 points just behind Spartak Moscow on goal difference. Luciano Spalletti's side is entering this fixture following a 1-1 draw with Inter Milan in Serie A. It has left them in the third position in the table, just two points behind leaders AC Milan, so they are very much in a title race this season. 

Given their previous run-in European competition, Napoli is expected to give a good fight to this current Barcelona team. A win against the Catalans won't be very surprising but still, they won't let their guard down.

Suspensions:

Axel Tuanzebe is not going to feature as he is not included in the squad list for UEL.

Injuries/Doubtful:

Matteo Politano and Hirving Lozano are both injured.

Comebacks:

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Eljif Elmas are both expected to be named on the starting XI or the bench.

Napoli recent form in all competitions:

1-1 draw against Inter Milan
0-2 win over Venezia
2-1 win over Salernitana
2-0 win over Bologna
2-5 defeat against Fiorentina (Coppa Italia)

Barcelona vs Napoli: Head-to-Head

Matches: 2
FC Barcelona: 1
SSC Napoli: 0
Draw: 1

Possible Line-ups:

FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen: Dest, Pique, Garcia, Alba; F de Jong, Busquets, Pedri; Traore, Aubameyang, Gavi

SSC Napoli: Ospina; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Koulibaly, Mario Rui; Anguissa, Ruiz; Elmas, Zielinski, Insigne; Osimhen

Barcelona vs Napoli: Dream11 Prediction