ROME, ITALY - DECEMBER 23: Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli looks on in the warm up prior to the Serie A TIM match between AS Roma and SSC Napoli at Stadio Olimpico on December 23, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY - DECEMBER 23: Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli looks on in the warm up prior to the Serie A TIM match between AS Roma and SSC Napoli at Stadio Olimpico on December 23, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Victor Osimhen and the 4-3-3 formation return on the debut of new Napoli coach Francesco Calzona against Robert Lewandowski’s Barcelona in the Champions League Round of 16.

It kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 20.00 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.

The second leg will be at Camp Nou on March 12 and the away goals rule no longer applies in UEFA competitions.

This will always be a special fixture, as they are the two European clubs that Maradona played for.

It has been a chaotic campaign for the reigning Champions of Italy, who fired Rudi Garcia on November 14 and sacked Walter Mazzarri on Monday, bringing in current Slovakia coach Calzona, who was assistant manager at Napoli under both Maurizio Sarri and Luciano Spalletti.

With those mentors, he scraps the three-man defence and brings back the 4-3-3 formation, with Osimhen also able to feature for the first time in 2024 after AFCON duty.

Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and Matteo Politano complete the trident attack, with Jens Cajuste preferred to January signing Hamed Junior Traore in midfield, as Piotr Zielinski was cut from the UEFA list.

Cyril Ngonge pulled out with a slight muscular injury and Mathias Olivera is chosen rather than Mario Rui at left-back.

Barcelona are missing Marcos Alonso, Ferran Torres, Gavi and Alejandro Balde, while Joao Felix has recovered, but is only on the bench.

Veteran Lewandowski is flanked by 16-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal and 21-year-old Pedri, with Ilkay Gundogan and Frenkie de Jong in midfield.

They are joined by Andreas Christensen, pushed into a more advanced role from defence.

They need to be careful, because Ronald Araujo, Sergi Roberto and Joao Felix are one card away from suspension.

Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka, Cajuste; Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia

Napoli bench: Contini, Gollini, Natan, Mario Rui, Traore, Simeone, Lindstrom, Mazzocchi, Ostigard, Raspadori

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Koundé, Ronald Araújo, Íñigo Martínez, Joao Cancelo; Gündogan, Christensen, F de Jong; Lamine Yamal, Lewandowski, Pedri

Barcelona bench: Raphinha, Inaki Pena, Joao Felix, Romeu, Vitor Roque, Sergi Roberto, Astralaga, M Casado, Fermin, Cubarsi, Marc Guiu, H Fort

Ref: Zwayer (GER)

Player statistic

1st half
    16' Yellow card Frenkie de Jong
2nd half
    60' Goal Robert Lewandowski
(Assist: Pedri)
Victor Osimhen
(Assist: Frank Anguissa)
Goal 75'    
    76' Yellow card Iñigo Martínez
    78' Yellow card Andreas Christensen

Match statistic

49
Possession %
51
6
Total shots
12
1
Shots on target
6
3
Shots off target
5
2
Blocked shots
1
7
Corners
4
4
Offsides
1
11
Fouls
14
Napoli
Barcelona

Starting lineups

1
Goalkeeper
13
Defender
22
5
Defender
17
Defender
99
Midfielder
24
Midfielder
68'
68
Midfielder
77
68'
21
Attacker
77'
9
Attacker
77'
1
15
86'
5
Defender
2
Defender
23
Defender
4
Defender
21
Midfielder
22
Midfielder
8
Midfielder
86'
27
Attacker
80'
9

Substitutes

55
Defender
6
Defender
14
Goalkeeper
30
95
Goalkeeper
3
Defender
8
68'
29
Midfielder
68'
81
77'
18
Attacker
77'
20
Midfielder
13
Goalkeeper
30
Midfielder
32
Midfielder
26
Goalkeeper
38
Attacker
33
Defender
39
Defender
19
Attacker
11
Attacker
80'
14
Attacker
86'
18
Midfielder
86'

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