FC Barcelona has settled with Napoli in the eighth finals of the Champions League in two matches. After the 1-1 draw in Naples, Barca, without Frenkie de Jong, won 3-1 at home against the Neapolitans. In a furious start, Barcelona took a 2-0 lead through Fermin Lopez and Joao Cancelo. Amir Rrahmani brought back the tension in the first half, but the game was decided in the second half through Robert Lewandowski.
FC Barcelona had a fantastic start in the Olympic stadium, the temporary home of the Catalans due to the renovation of Camp Nou. Fermin Lopez had already appeared dangerously in front of goal several times in the first fifteen minutes. After a smooth combination on the left flank, Raphinha put the ball back to Lopez, who scored in a controlled manner. Barely a minute later, Lamine Yamal initiated a counter by sending Raphinha deep. The Brazilian curled the ball onto the post and with a bit of luck the ball ended up with Joao Cancelo who was able to slide in the rebound in front of an empty goal. The Catalans then slowed down somewhat and Napoli got the chance to get into the match.
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Victor Osimhen was sent deep several times, but each time he was sidelined. After half an hour of play, the Neapolitans brought the tension back into the match. Matteo Politano managed to reach the passing Amir Rrahmani, after which the center defender, like an accomplished striker, neatly pushed the ball into the corner. The match continued to go back and forth, but the biggest chance in the first half was still for Napoli. Marc-Andre Ter Stegen kept his team ahead by making a fantastic save on a Giovanni Di Lorenzo header that seemed to be on its way to the intersection.
In the second half, Napoli had to look for an equalizer and was occasionally dangerous through Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and Politano, but their attempts always fell just short of Ter Stegen’s goal. It was Barcelona that had the first big chance of the second half when Raphinha, after combining with Cancelo, shot into Napoli goalie Alex Meret from close range. Napoli, however, remained the better team and had a nice chance through Zambo Anguissa, but his attempt was blocked just in time while Ter Stegen was completely out of position. Twenty minutes before the end, Barca thought they had decided the game. A rebound arose after a dangerous header by Robert Lewandowski that was ultimately shot in by Yamal. However, the sixteen-year-old right winger was offside so his goal was canceled.
FC Barcelona forgets to end the match prematurely
The forces at Napoli began to ebb further and further and the Catalans had more and more opportunities. The Italians were no longer involved and often suffered careless losses of the ball. Barcelona forgot to decide the match at this stage with chances for Yamal, Rahpinha and Ilkay Gündogan. They almost had to deal with this, as Napoli still had a great chance to score the equalizer. Jesper Lindstrom had the ball from close range to head it in, but his effort went narrowly wide. In the 83rd minute the match was decided by Barcelona. After a brilliant attack set up by Sergi Roberto, Lewandowski had the ball to tap in and the Polish striker was entrusted with that trick. The match was decided after this goal, although Napoli still had the chance to restore the tension, but Olivera shot the crossbar.
FC Barcelona reaches the quarter-finals with this victory and can still shine the season in the Champions League. The European season is over for Napoli and they will still have to make every effort in Serie A to secure European football for next season.
2024-03-12 21:55:22
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