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08 August 2020Gattuso had described the Camp Nou match for Napoli as an "Everest" and was a good prophet. The first half was enough for Barcelona to reach the 3-1, which is also the final result and (combined with the 1-1 first leg at the San Paolo in February) sends the Blaugrana to the unprecedented Final-eight of the Champions League in Lisbon. Some regrets for Napoli especially in the final, when the hosts went into oxygen debt due to the lack of reserves (Setien sipped the numerous 'canterani' on the bench limiting himself to two substitutions) while the Neapolitan second lines had a good impact.

Insigne makes it, trident with Mertens in the middle and Callejon on the right. Demme pivot in midfield between Fabian Ruiz and Zielinski. Setien faces Messi, Suarez and Griezmann, Rakitic leads the midfield. Tightened the Neapolitan start, Mertens finds a good ball after a double rebound and hits on the fly hitting the outside pole. Barcelona seem a bit distracted in the rear, but from midfield up they are effective. The match is released in the 12th minute: Lenglet heads a cross from a corner and gives Ospina no chance. Barça fluid in the maneuver and with an extra Messi. At 23 'the' flea 'invents an extraordinary goal by entering the area from the top and jumping four players before placing the left, falling, on the far post. Another great chance for the Blaugrana on Suarez's blow rejected by Ospina. In the continuation of the action the ball reaches Messi who makes a control-masterpiece and scores, but the Var cancels by hand ball. Convoluted fraction finale. Serious lightness of Koulibaly who lets Messi blow the ball and then knocks him out. Long stop with Var control, referee Cakir decides for the penalty and Suarez transforms in the first minute of recovery. At 5 'beyond 45' the naivety is of Rakitic, who does not control the entry on Mertens. Even in this case, Insigne is not wrong.

Gattuso leaves with Lobotka for Demme and asks his team to accelerate to take advantage of inertia. Barça now staid, which confirms some amnesia back there. Mertens heads a cross deflected by Semedo, Ter Stegen has no problems. Napoli's attacks are sterile, as they risk a lot on the restarts. Lozano and Politano are also on the pitch (for Zielinski and Callejon), in the last 20 minutes of offensive traction. Just Lozano has a chance, but turning his head from Insigne's backward cross is really difficult, Ter Stegen is not upset. Gattuso's latest cards are Milik and Elmas. The Pole has a header canceled for offside. The final minutes of Setien's team are on their legs. Ter Stegen almost makes a mess on Lozano's very tight pumpkin, the pole helps him. In full recovery from Politano's brilliant play for Di Lorenzo's inclusion, Ter Stegen responds with an open hand.

Barcelona found Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals in a straight match in Lisbon, who liquidated Chelsea 4-1 at Allianz after winning 3-0 also at Stamford Bridge in February.