FC Barcelona had to settle for a draw in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 at SSC Napoli on Wednesday. Robert Lewandowski (60th) brought the guests forward, but Victor Osimhen (75th) managed to equalize for the southern Italians, who had their third coach of the season, Francesco Calzona, on the line. In the second game of the evening, Galeno scored a last-minute win for Porto against Arsenal in the 94th minute.
21.02.2024 23.20
Online since yesterday, 11:20 p.m
Barcelona took a brisk approach to the duel between the struggling champions from Italy and Spain at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The guests dominated, young star Lamine Yamal – at 16 years and 223 days now also the youngest player ever to appear in the knockout phase – tested Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret for the first time after just under ten minutes. Lewandowski also failed because the keeper’s foot was blocked.
Napoli were somewhat lucky to survive the first 20 minutes without conceding a goal, but were able to make the game more balanced as the first half continued. The southern Italians didn’t have a shot on goal until the break. Even after the break, Napoli were unable to make any gains for the time being, but Barcelona were rewarded after an hour. Lewandowski once found space in the penalty area and scored only his second goal in the current Champions League. For the Italians, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, a star of the last championship season, left the pitch.
APA/AFP/Tiziana Fabi Victor Osimhen equalized with the first shot on goal and saved Napoli a home draw
The home team managed to equalize out of nowhere: Osimhen let his opponent Inigo Martinez rebound and finished. After that it was over for the Nigerian and he also had to leave the pitch. Barcelona have not been able to win an away game in the round of 16 since 2016. With the last chance deep into stoppage time, Ilkay Gündogan shot just wide from the edge of the penalty area.
Stalemate in Porto until added time
Arsenal often kept the ball in their own ranks, but with possession of around 70 percent the Gunners remained harmless. Porto even had a very good chance to take the lead after 20 minutes through Galeno, but the Brazilian only hit the bar. With the Portuguese, the 40-year-old Pepe made his 119th appearance in the Champions League in central defense. The entire Arsenal starting eleven played 104 competitive games.
Throughout the game, Porto knew how to narrow the circles of the opposing offensive players and put pinpricks in between. However, Arsenal hardly let anything happen either. Until the 94th minute: Galeno was able to take measurements unchallenged and sank the ball wonderfully into the far corner from more than 20 meters with his right hand. Arsenal will be more than challenged in the second leg in three weeks.
2024-02-21 22:21:09
#Champions #League #Napoli #fights #draw #Barca
