The disconcerting Barca of Xavi, who desperately seeks to find the path of regularityfaces this afternoon at the Camp Nou (6:45 p.m. Movistar Champions League) the adventure of the Europa League against Napoli (follow the match live on AS.com). A new back-and-forth competition in which the Blaugrana team has been involved after his disaster in the Champions League.
There is the question of what are the expectations of Catalan team in this competition. Eliminated from the Champions League and the Cup and with the aim of be in the top four in LaLiga to return next year to the highest international competition, the Europa League is torn between being a distraction and one chance.
It is a competition with little financial benefit and that reserves the jackpot (the square for the next Champions) exclusively for the winner. At the moment, Barça is far from that final in Seville because what will begin to play today is a qualifying round to access the round of 16.
In addition, the Blaugrana team has been lucky the Naplesprobably the team with the highest level of those that were in the hype. Italians are the last team to which the Barcelona eliminated in the Champions before falling for 2-8 in Lisbon against Bayern. Setién’s team settled the tie at that time with a draw at one in the first leg and a 3-1 at the Camp Nou. The Neapolitans, who consider that this result meant too much punishment, come looking for revenge.
Where both teams differ most is in the defense. The Barcelona fits easily and on top of that he has not registered Alves for this competition and he will not be able to count on Araújo after retiring injured in the derby last Sunday. On the other hand, that weak point of Barcelona is the Napoli’s greatest strengthwhich is the least scored team in Serie A with 17 goals against in 25 games.