One of the most intriguing 2023/24 Champions League last-16 ties sees the champions of Spain and Italy collide when Napoli meet Barcelona.
The Diego Maradona connection makes this European clash all the more special and the clubs have been recent opponents in recent times, last squaring off in the 2021/22 Europa League when Barca were victorious.
The two sides would go on to claim their respective national league titles the following season, but moods have dropped so far in 2023/24, with neither champion in contention to retain their crown.
Barca’s defence of La Liga has fallen apart and they are clearly capable of losing against a team like Napoli, who still possess dangerous players Xavi’s side will need to be wary of even if they have regressed.
With the two legs set to be played on 21 February and 12 March, beginning at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, here are the Napoli stars Barca must keep quiet to progress into the Champions League quarter-finals.
The major headline-maker in this Napoli team, Victor Osimhen is a striker every single club should be scared of facing. The Nigeria international has not been as prolific this time around compared to the 2022/23 campaign, in which he scored 31 goals across Serie A and the Champions League.
However, the 25-year-old has all the best attributes a modern striker needs.
Fast, tall, strong, a lethal finisher and an incredibly hard worker, Osimhen can score all types of goals and will demand a huge amount of attention from Barca’s central defenders. Having missed the first leg of Napoli’s quarter-final exit to AC Milan last season, he has unfinished business in this competition.
There are concerns about his fitness for this tie, but if Osimhen is playing, Barca have to be careful.
Another Napoli star who has struggled after the title-winning campaign, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is in a new phase of his career where there is expectation and pressure on him to perform consistently for Gli Azzurri.
The Georgia international recently reminded everyone of just how devastating he can be with a superb winning goal against Hellas Verona and given Barca have struggled all season long with their full-backs, Kvaratskhelia will feel there is some joy to be had across both legs.
Piotr Zielinski was one of the most important parts of Napoli’s title win last season. The Polish midfielder covered every blade of grass and scored goals when he got into dangerous positions.
However, as is a running theme here, he has not been quite as good this term.
Zielinski appears to be on his way to Serie A rivals Inter, having run down his contract in Naples after failing to agree new terms, and has a chance to showcase his talents to more potential suitors here in a high-profile European tie.
Many wingers are more important to their team than it first appears. Matteo Politano doesn’t make many headlines, but he has been impressive this season given the chaos around him.
Despite his responsibility growing after the departure of Hirving Lozano, the Italian has scored seven times across Serie A and the Champions League alongside five assists. His work rate is brilliant, so Barca will have to ensure they don’t focus entirely on Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia.
Modern full-backs are expected to get involved with both creating and scoring goals and that’s something Giovanni Di Lorenzo has taught himself in recent years.
The Italian is one of the main leaders in this Napoli team and contributed five goals and six assists from right-back in 2022/23. He is on two goals and six assists this campaign and one of the few Partenopei players performing at the same level as last season.
