A painful qualification, but highly anticipated. FC Barcelona returns to the quarter-finals of the Champions League after four years of absence, following its success against Naples (3-1), this Tuesday evening, in the round of 16 second leg. Held in defeat in the first leg in Italy (1-1), the Catalans were able to count on the contribution of players from the Masia, the Barcelona training center.
In the absence of Gavi, Pedri and Frenkie De Jong, injured, it was the young Fermin Lopez (20) who stood out by opening the scoring on a cross from Raphinha (1-0, 15th). He was once again stolen the spotlight by an even earlier teammate: Pau Cubarsi (17 years old). With disconcerting ease, the central defender reigned in the duels (won 6), assured in his transmissions (90% of successful passes) and was elected man of the match.
Just as promising, Lamine Yamal (16) was at the origin of Barça’s second goal, scored on the counter, barely two minutes after the Catalan opening score. At the end of the rush of the new Barcelona jewel, Joao Cancelo received a ball returned by the post on a strike from Raphinha (2-0, 17th).
Naples missed their chance
Yet asphyxiated during the first half hour of play, Naples was able to revive thanks to Amir Rrahmani. Coming to bring the surplus, the Kosovar central defender reduced the score on a cross from Matteo Politano (2-1, 30th). But, despite several clear chances, whether it was the header from Giovanni Di Lorenzo (34th) or the strikes from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (47th) and Politano (54th), Naples missed the opportunity to come back to the score.
19
Barça will participate in the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the 19th time. Only Bayern Munich (22) and Real Madrid (20) have more appearances at this stage of the competition.
Having just entered the game, the Dane Jesper Lundström came close to equalizing with a header, alone at the far post (80th). Yet another failure punished by Barça. Robert Lewandowski concluded with his right foot a combination initiated by Ilkay Gündogan and Sergi Roberto (3-1, 83rd). A deliverance that is certainly late, but eagerly awaited in Catalonia.