Eko Hot Blog reports that Barcelona endured a tense second half to emerged victorious with a 3-1 win over Napoli on Tuesday, securing their spot in the Champions League quarter-finals with a 4-2 aggregate score.
Xavi Hernandez’s team started strongly with goals from Fermin Lopez and Joao Cancelo, but after Amir Rrahmani scored, Barcelona began to feel the pressure. Eventually, Italian champions Napoli, who managed to secure a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the last-16, were defeated when Robert Lewandowski scored from close range.
This marks the first time since 2020 that Barcelona, four-time winners, have advanced to the Champions League quarter-finals. Notably, they achieved this feat despite the absence of their injured midfield trio Pedri, Gavi, and Frenkie de Jong.
In January, Coach Xavi Hernandez announced his departure at the end of the season. Since then, his team has enjoyed a nine-game undefeated streak.
Teenage sensations Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi have played pivotal roles during this run, shining particularly bright in a crucial match against Napoli. Their performances have provided some much-needed respite for Barcelona amidst an otherwise challenging season.
Xavi called upon the fans to transform their temporary Olympic Stadium abode on Montjuic hill into a cauldron of pressure, and they responded eagerly. More than 50,000 spectators turned out, marking the club’s highest attendance of the season.
Napoli, led by Francesco Calzona, struggled as the Spanish champions started the game with great intensity.
Yamal, the electric 16-year-old winger, made impressive advances down the right flank early on, delivering a curling cross.
The prime opportunities were seized by Lopez, who managed to break the deadlock with his third attempt after 15 minutes, showcasing his talent at just 20 years old.
Cancelo provided a pass to Raphinha, who then cut the ball back into the area for Lopez to neatly tuck home. Although he doesn’t possess the metronomic precision of Pedri, the midfielder brings drive and an insatiable appetite for shooting.
Just two minutes later, the Catalans extended their lead against the stunned visitors. Yamal initiated the attack by breaking free in his own half on the counter. He passed to Raphinha, whose shot hit the post, but Cancelo was there to capitalize on the rebound and slot it home.
Napoli fought their way back into the game when Matteo Politano made a run down the right, benefiting from Ronald Araujo keeping him onside. Politano then delivered a precise cross to Rrahmani, who calmly slotted the ball home, leveling the score. Moments afterward, Napoli came close to equalizing again, but Barcelona’s goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen denied them with a fantastic save, tipping Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s header over the bar.
The Italians began the second half with vigor, pushing Barcelona back into their own half and causing them to clear the ball aimlessly.
To inject fresh energy into the midfield and spark a change, Xavi substituted Lopez and Andreas Christensen with Sergi Roberto and Oriol Romeu.
Despite Raphinha and Lewandowski testing Alex Meret with shots, it was Yamal who found the net from close range, only to be ruled offside.
Napoli’s Danish winger, Jesper Lindstrom, narrowly missed the target with a header before Lewandowski sealed the match following a combination play between Ilkay Gundogan and Sergi Roberto.
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