TOPS
Griezmann, an important goal
He did not have an obvious match and yet he is the one who helped Barça to regain hope. While his team was tossed in the first period, the French was decisive shortly before the hour of play by being present in the right place to conclude from the right a center of Semedo (57th). If he touched few balloons (32), he constantly sought solutions to serve the collective by ensuring the withdrawal in particular.
Mertens in the history of Naples
The first important man in this match is him. Dries Mertens allowed Naples to open the scoring with a beautifully curled strike (30 '). Above all, he scored his 121st goal with the Neapolitan club, tying the record for Marek Hamsik. Hitting a bullet in the foot, he had to leave his partners due to an injury. An outing that coincided with the equalizing goal of Barça and the drop in speed of his team.
Zielinski, precious activity in the middle
The Polish midfielder from Naples has done a lot of work in the midfield. He is in particular at the origin of the goal of his team by being a decisive passer after having recovered the ball in the feet of Firpo Junior. Collecting 7 balloons in total, it was important to ensure the offensive transitions.
Messi, in vain
The Argentinian was, as often, untenable ball with the foot. Moving a lot on the attacking front, he was often found low to lead the Barcelona game. A lot of effort was made to wake up Barça but, in the end, few chances for a lack of opportunism in the opposing area (64th, 75th, 83rd).
FLOPS
Barça without collective jurisdiction
The flamboyant Barça that dazzled Europe is far away. In Naples, the Catalan club delivered a lackluster performance just saved, therefore, by the goal of Griezmann and some inspirations from Messi. There was no collective momentum, with a Rakitic far from its best level and, overall, a purring game. Without forgetting novices not yet seasoned, the left side Firpo Junior suffering quite a lot in this meeting.
A Barça without Busquets, nor Vidal on the return
FC Barcelona will be deprived, upon return, of two key elements in the midfield. Intelligent and full of vice, the Busquets sentinel will not be there to put the stamps. Under suspension, he was warned at San Paolo and will therefore be absent. For his part, Vidal, who held an unusual right winger position, will also be absent due to red taken for a muscular duel with Mario Rui. Experienced and important to break against opponents, the Chilean will also be missing from this Barça, who however needs a job to progress in this Champions League.
Read also
- Champions League: Calendar / Results