CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Lorenzo Insigne admits the 1-1 draw “leaves a bitter taste,” because Napoli had more scoring opportunities than Barcelona.
Dries Mertens matched the all-time Napoli goal-scoring record, but Antoine Griezmann tapped in the Barcelona equaliser and Arturo Vidal saw red in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16.
Dries Mertens has equalled Marek Hamsik as Napoli’s greatest goal scorer in the club’s history with 121 goals, matching the record against Barcelona.
Join us for all the build-up and action as it happens from tonight’s Champions League Round of 16 clash, as Napoli welcome Lionel Messi’s Barcelona to the Stadio San Paolo.
Mario Rui assures Napoli will “all sacrifice for each other to help out in defence” against Barcelona, “especially when Lionel Messi runs at us…”
Director of sport Cristiano Giuntoli credits “leader” Gennaro Gattuso with making Napoli more suited to the characteristics of the players as they host Barcelona.
Maurizio Sarri discussed the dangers Juventus face against Olympique Lyonnais, the Coronavirus crisis and why the Champions League is “a dream” in the three-year project.
Leonardo Bonucci assures Juventus will prove against Olympique Lyonnais that “when the crunch moment comes, we are there,” especially with Giorgio Chiellini back.
Napoli look to Dries Mertens, Lorenzo Insigne and Jose Callejon for their historic Champions League encounter with Barcelona, who start Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann and Arturo Vidal.
While sporting events in Piedmont are barred due to the Coronavirus outbreak, French authorities are wondering why 3,000 Juventus fans can travel to Lyon.
Juventus named their squad for the Champions League trip to Olympique Lyonnais, including Gonzalo Higuain, Douglas Costa and Sami Khedira.
Napoli are expected to leave club record signing Hirving Lozano in the stands against Barcelona this evening, effectively cutting him out of the squad.
Diego Maradona wants Napoli to “surprise” Barcelona at the San Paolo tonight and hopes Lionel Messi “doesn’t have a big game” in his old home.
Moussa Dembele insists he feels “no pressure” to score his first Champions League goal of the season for Lyon against Juventus.
Lyon coach Rudi Garcia saw “elements of Maurizio Sarri’s tactical principles” in the new Juventus, but argued the club “are an institution who rarely change identity.”
The Coronavirus scare is spreading rapidly, as it’s reported four Valencia fans who attended the Champions League game with Atalanta are showing signs of the illness.
Former Napoli hero Diego Maradona has revealed that he will “without a doubt” support the Partenopei when his two former clubs clash at the San Paolo.
Former Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik has warned Barcelona that the Azzurri can “give them trouble” ahead of their meeting in the Champions League.
Blaise Matuidi has revealed that he thought about his family when he extended with Juventus and admitted he has had his “ups and downs” this term.
Leonardo Bonucci admitted that Juventus are "favourites” against Olympique Lyonnais and has claimed the competition in Serie A will spur them on in Europe.
Juventus should have Gonzalo Higuain back in contention ahead of the first leg against Olympique Lyonnais, whilst Douglas Costa could make it for Inter.
Napoli will have to cope without Kalidou Koulibaly when Lionel Messi arrives at the San Paolo in their first leg against Barcelona in the Champions League.
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is looking forward to an “exciting” match against Napoli and points out their record in Europe this season.
Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has admitted that Barcelona are still “adapting” to coach Quique Setien’s style and stressed that they are “prepared to suffer”.
Gennaro Gattuso hopes to see a fearless Napoli against Barcelona and has admitted that it’s “useless” to man-mark Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi.
Lorenzo Insigne has warned Napoli that Lionel Messi is only the leader of many great champions of Barcelona and hopes to bring the fans some joy tomorrow.
Jesus Gil Manzano will officiate the Champions League game between Lyon and Juventus, while Italian Daniele Orsato takes Real Madrid-Manchester City.
Barcelona have named the squad for Tuesday’s Champions League tie with Napoli, missing Luis Suarez, Ousmane Dembele, Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto.
German Felix Brych will officiate Napoli’s Champions League Round of 16 encounter with Barcelona on Tuesday.
Maurizio Sarri saw “improvement” from Juventus in a 2-1 win over SPAL, hopes to “eradicate” the defensive weakness and warns “the Scudetto is an objective, the Champions League a dream.”
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE BLOGS
- This is still not Sarri's Juventus
- Gattenaccio comes up short
- Juve can't be complacent in Lyon
- Far from unbeatable Barcelona
- Gattuso grinds Napoli down
- Atalanta making Europe Gasp
- Barcelona a unique chance for Napoli
- Atalanta living the dream
- Valencia to be Atalanta's toughest test
- How to use Fabian Ruiz
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