Barcelona’s line-up for the first Europa League game in club history has been announced. Xavi chooses to let Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang make his debut against Napoli in the starting lineup on Thursday evening, after two appearances in LaLiga. The winter addition is lined up in the front with Ferran Torres and Adama Traoré. Thus Luuk de Jong starts again on the bench. The first meeting between Barcelona and Napoli in the intermediate round of the Europa League starts at 6.45 pm at the Camp Nou.
Memphis Depay is struggling with a hamstring injury and has missed Barcelona’s last three league games. Earlier this week, reports in Spain made it clear that Depay would probably also be missing against Napoli. Although he is close to his return, Xavi does not want to take any risks with the striker. Clément Lenglet, Samuel Umtiti, Ansu Fati, Sergi Roberto, Alejandro Balde and Ronald Araújo are also out of Barcelona’s Europa League debut due to injuries. Araújo was left in the dressing room with physical complaints halfway through the game against Espanyol on Sunday evening.
Sergiño Dest is lined up as right back. He benefits from the absence of Dani Alves: Due to UEFA regulations, Barcelona were allowed to sign only three of four winter signings for the knockout stage and the veteran Brazilian was ultimately left out. Luuk de Jong would have hoped for a starting spot after his late equalizer against Espanyol (2-2) as a substitute, but the choice falls on Aubameyang, with Ferran and Traoré on the flanks. Frenkie de Jong does have a basic place in midfield.
Barcelona line-up: Ter Stegen; Mingueza, Pique, Eric Garcia, Jordi Alba; F. De Jong, Nico, Pedri; Adama Traore, Aubameyang, Ferran Torres
Line-up Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Koulibaly, Juan Jesus; Anguissa, Fabian Ruiz; Elmas, Zielinski, Insignia; Osimhen