Lionel Messi and Barcelona will again embark on the journey to win a trophy that has evaded them for five years now. The Catalans take on Napoli in the first leg of their round of sixteen Champions League two-legged tie.
Barcelona made it to the semi-finals last season but their poor away record saw them lose 4-0 to Liverpool at Anfield. Napoli has never made it past this round and will be up against a Lionel Messi in hot sizzling form that saw him score four goals against Eibar over the weekend.
Under Genarro Gatusso, Napoli has been revitalized and is currently on a three-match winning streak.
Team News
Setien must decide whether to recall Frenkie de Jong to his starting lineup, with Ivan Rakitic potentially at risk of dropping to the substitutes’ bench.
With Martin Braithwaite ineligible for the Champions League, Arturo Vidal could continue in his role on the left-hand side of the attack.
Junior Firpo will deputise for the injured Jordi Alba, who is carrying an adductor problem, while Sergi Roberto has been ruled out after sustaining a similar injury over the weekend.
With having an extra day of preparation, Gattuso may opt to retain the same XI which began the win at Brescia on Friday night.
However, the Italian has plenty of alternatives, with Allan, Piotr Zielinski and Arkadiusz Milik all pushing for a recall to the team.
Prediction
Lionel Messi is in hot goal-scoring form and will again be the main goal threat for Barcelona.
TIP: Messi to score @2.00