Champions League: Lionel Messi and Barça draw against Napoli

Text by: Farid Achache Follow

FC Barcelona who moved to Naples at the San Paolo stadium on Tuesday 25 February for the first leg counting for the knockout stages tied (1-1). After the opening of the score by Dries Mertens, the Frenchman Antoine Griezmann equalized in the second period. Lionel Messi remained silent.

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Last Saturday, Lionel Messi had revived Barça with a quadruple against Eibar in the championship. The sixfold Ballon d'Or had been silent for four games before resurfacing. And his goals were achieved almost entirely on individual exploits.

Messi premiere in Naples

This Tuesday evening, the star of FC Barcelona discovered Naples where his compatriot Diego Maradona was adulated from 1984 to 1991. On the field of Napoli, the Argentinian international, considered as " the greatest of all time " according to Gennaro Gattuso, the Napoli coach, very quickly tried to highlight himself with a shot over the cage of David Ospina (9th). A week before the clasico de Liga at Real Madrid (March 1), Lionel Messi knew he was expected against Naples who had knocked down Liverpool, the defending champion, during the group stage.

A counter attack in the 26th minute would have allowed Messi to attempt a shot into the box after accelerating 40 meters. But the Argentinean collides with the defense and chooses to pass to Antoine Griezmann.

Antoine Griezmann, goalscorer against Naples, February 25, 2020. CARLO HERMANN / AFP

Barça purr in the first period despite possession of the ball superior to Napoli. The Blaugrana, lacking inspiration, will pay the price. In the 30th minute, Piotr Zielinski addresses a low-angle center towards the entrance to the surface. Dries Mertens controls and shoots from the right, and the ball flies into the window. On the second day, the Barcelonians had already been led by an Italian club: Inter Milan. The band to Lionel Messi had finally won 2-1.

Messi mute, Griezmann goalscorer

Messi, who scored 2 goals and made 3 assists this season in the Champions League this season, considered to be the master of play for Barça, ultimately did not find the way of the net despite two shots. He gave way to Antoine Griezmann, the only Barcelona striker today, after a decisive pass from Semedo (67 '). In the 83rd minute, Lionel Messi eliminated two players but Maksimovic managed to stop the Argentinian on his last hook. Barça ends the game at 10 after the expulsion of Vidal (89th).

After victories against Liverpool and Genk this season, Naples draws at home against FC Barcelona, ​​crowned European champion five times, the last time in 2015.

The Catalans who have reached at least the last eight in the last 16 seasons should logically qualify for the return match on March 18. Especially since the two previous 8th finals of Napoli ended in setbacks against Real Madrid and Chelsea.

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