Napoli vs Barcelona: 21st February 2024

Passion will ignite the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona as Napoli takes on Barcelona in the Champions League, dubbed the Diego Maradona derby. Napoli’s attacking prowess, led by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, poses a threat, while Barcelona, led by Joao Cancelo, aims to dominate. With high stakes and close odds, it’s an electrifying clash not to be missed!

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Written by Phil Taylor

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Published on February 21, 2024

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Champions League football in the heart of Naples is always an affair to take note of especially with the visitors being Barcelona; the five times European Champions.

In a game that has been dubbed the Diego Maradona derby, they are big expectations on these two sides; given Barcelona won the last time the two met.

Napoli- Form so far in the Champions League

In a group featuring Real Madrid, Napoli knew they would be up against it but managed to secure 2nd place after losing twice against the Spanish giants but a draw against Union Berlin nearly put that in jeopardy but thankfully results went their way.

Having found the net ten times during the group stage, they were not shy in finding the net and with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia performing one the best in the group stage they certainly do not lack an attacking threat.

However, they also have their Polish international centre midfielder Piotr Zielinski to thank for their progression and he could make thinks hard for Barcelona’s midfield players to get ticking.

Barcelona- Form so far in the Champions League

In the same group as Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk and Royal Antwerp, Barcelona made hard work of their group. With their major competition supposedly the Portuguese outfit, it was actually loses to Shakhtar and more surprisingly Royal Antwerp that nearly put progression in tatters.

However, they did finish top of their group and still managed to score 12 goals in their six matchdays with Ferran Torres (who is out injured) and Joao Felix scoring three goals each. However, it was full back Joao Cancelo who was the standout player of the group stage so it is important that his fit for the clash tonight.

Who will take the first leg advantage?

With kick off at 8pm at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, the atmosphere will be pumping and Napoli will need the Neapolitan people to be behind them all the way.

Xavi’s men edge it slightly with the bookies as they are 27/20 and Napoli are 17/10 whereas the draw comes in at 23/10. This will be a close affair and goals could well be at a premium.

However, if you felt like the two most likely goal scorers will be the two biggest threats Robert Lewandowski and Victor Osimhen then you can get odds of them being the first goal scorer at 18/5 and 4/1 respectively.