Barcelona validated their qualification for the quarter-finals of the Champions League by winning against Naples (3-1) on Tuesday. Find the Tops and Flops of this meeting.
TOPS
Cubarsi has all the makings of a great
His perfect intervention against Osimhen after a few seconds of play set the tone for his enormous performance. Holder in the central hinge at only seventeen years old, Pau Cubarsi revealed himself to the eyes of the whole of Europe this Tuesday, during Barça’s 3-1 victory over Naples, in the round of 16 second leg of the Champions League. Victory synonymous with accession to the quarterfinals. The young Catalan defender never seemed impressed and exuded real serenity, including during Napoli’s domination. Solid (100% of duels won) and fair in his transmissions, like a perfect cross for Lopez on the first opportunity of the match. A near-perfect baptism of fire in C1 for the teenager, elected man of the match by UEFA.
Xavi’s effective coaching
Xavi could have experienced his last European match on the Barça bench this Tuesday, he who will leave his post at the end of the season. His players decided to prolong the pleasure. Very satisfied at the end of the meeting, the Catalan coach clearly made the right choices in his coaching in the second half. While Naples clearly dominated the debates in the second half, the entry of Sergi Roberto in place of a too messy Christensen, and the repositioning of Gundogan in a more offensive role allowed the Blaugrana to regain control of the game. Both The players mentioned also did a huge job on the goal scored by Lewandowski at the end of the match.
Raphinha’s activity
Sometimes messy, even annoying, Raphinha is nevertheless to be credited with a great performance. The former Rennais, preferred to Joao Felix on the left wing in the absence of Pedri, particularly stood out during Barça’s excellent start to the match. His activity and technical quality really hurt the Italian champions. A decisive passer on Lopez’s opening score, he was also involved in the second goal, with a shot on the post finally followed by Cancelo.
FLOPS
Kvaratskhelia n’y arrive pas
Scorer last weekend in the league, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had to forget his sad performance in the first leg (1-1). A failed mission. Well contained by Koundé throughout the meeting, the Georgian international never had the expected impact. His only feat of arms: a shot which almost hit the target at the start of the second half. Far too insufficient for a player who is having an average season, well below his performances which had greatly contributed to Napoli’s coronation in Serie A last year.
Napoli’s full-backs suffered
Certainly, Mario Rui and Giovanni Di Lorenzo had an undeniable offensive contribution during the phases of Neapolitan domination. But both men suffered terribly in defense. They even experienced a real ordeal during the first half hour of play. Opposed to an unleashed Yamal, Mario Rui suffered with each acceleration of the Barça jewel. Outdated, and often misplaced. On the right, Di Lorenzo was unable to hold his own in the face of the activity of the Cancelo-Raphinha duo. Much too feverish.
