Victor Osimhen is a doubt for Napoli’s Europa League fixture against Barcelona, while Eljif Elmas should start at right wiger.
The Partenopei visit the Nou Camp in the first leg of the Europa League knock-our round playoff today. It kicks off at 17.45 UK time.
Napoli have a few players out of action, mainly in attack. Right wingers Hirving Lozano and Matteo Politano are injured and Eljif Elmas will like start wide on the right.
Victor Osimhen didn’t train with the team yesterday because of knee issues. He is available, but not expected to start. The Nigeria international be assessed again this morning. Centre midfielder Stanis Lobotka is also injured.
Osimhen has scored four goals in 168 minutes in Europa League this season, which means one goal every 42 minutes. It’s the best minute per goal ratio among players with at least two goals in the competition.
Napoli are confident ahead of their game in Barcelona but have lost all their last four away European fixtures in the knock-out phase, including one at the Nou Camp in 2020.
The Catalans are without Clement Lenglet, Samuel Umtiti, Araujo, Memphis Depay, Ansu Fati and Sergi Roberto. Sergio Busquets should rest with Pedri, Frankie de Jong and Gavi in centre midfield.
Former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will bet the nod up front with Ferran Torres and Adama Traore.
Barcelona vs. Napoli – probable line-ups
Barcelona (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Dest, Piqueé, Eric Garcia, Jordi Alba; Pedri, De Jong, Gavi; Adama Traore, Aubameyang, Ferran Torres.
Napoli (4-2-3-1): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Koulibaly, Ghoulam; Anguissa, Fabian Ruiz; Elmas, Zielinski, Insigne; Mertens.
Good lineup up barca
Napoli not see favorites anymore, forces changed comparing to december
I like Napoli‘s chances with those lineups. Forza Partenopei!