Barcelona’s line-up for the match against Napoli in the play-offs for a ticket to the knockout phase of the Europa League has been announced. Trainer Xavi has no big surprises in store for the meeting with the Neapolitans. Both Sergiño Dest and Frenkie de Jong get a basic place, while Luuk de Jong has to settle for a place on the bench. The kick-off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona will take place at 9 p.m.
At the Camp Nou, the scoreboard indicated a 1-1 final score after the final whistle. Piotr Zielinski scored the opening goal after half an hour of play, after which Ferran equalized the score in the 59th minute from the penalty spot. Just like last week, Marc-André ter Stegen will defend the goal. In front of the goalkeeper is a four-man defense, where there are two new names compared to the first game.
In the right-back position, Dest is preferred over Óscar Mingueza; Ronald Araújo is fit enough to take over the baton in the center back from Eric García. The defense is completed by Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba. Unlike the previous meeting with Napoli, Sergio Busquets is again central in midfield. The Catalan is joined in the middle line by Frenkie de Jong and Pedri.
In the striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang regains Xavi’s confidence. The attacker was accurate three times in the won LaLiga match with Valencia (1-4) and keeps Luuk de Jong on the bench. The flanks are covered by Adama Traoré (right) and Ferran (left). Furthermore, Memphis Depay is still not fit enough to take action.
Lineup Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Koulibaly, Rrahmani, Rui; Demme, Zielinski, Ruiz; Badge, Osimhen, Elmas
Barcelona line-up: Ter Stegen; Dest, Araújo, Pique, Jordi Alba; Frenkie de Jong, Busquets, Pedri; Adama, Aubameyang, Ferran