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Barcelona trash Napoli to ease into Europa League last 16

| PHOTO: Getty Images |
  • Barcelona defeated Napoli 4-2 in Naples to ease into the Europa League last-16 with a 5-3 aggregate
  • The La Liga giants headed into the second leg with everything to do after a 1-1 draw in Camp Nou last week.
  • Aubameyang was on target again after netting a La Liga hat-trick in the weekend.

Barcelona eased through to the Europa League last 16 after completing a commanding 5-3 aggregate victory over Napoli at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with a 4-2 triumph on the night.

Following a 1-1 draw at Camp Nou last week, Jordi Alba, Frenkie de Jong and Gerard Pique were all on target for Xavi’s side during a pulsating first half.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put the tie beyond doubt just before the hour mark; rendering Lorenzo Insigne’s first-half penalty and a late Matteo Politano strike nothing more than consolations for the hosts.

Napoli 2-4 Barcelona (agg: 3-5):

Barcelona players celebrate after Pierre Emerick Aubameyang scored against Napoli in the Europa League on Thursday, 25 2022. | PHOTO: Getty Images |

Luciano Spalletti’s side, who suffered a first defeat in seven games, became the seventh different Italian outfit to fall victim to the Blaugrana on home soil in major European competition.

Seeking a first away win over Napoli, Barca took the lead in the eighth minute as the pacy Adama Traore launched a swift counter before feeding Alba, who neatly finished past Alex Meret.

The visitors doubled their lead five minutes later. Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s long kick downfield broke kindly for De Jong, who curled a stunning 25-yard effort into the far corner.

The hosts halved the deficit midway through the first half when Insigne slotted home from the penalty spot after Ter Stegen brought down Victor Osimhen in the box.

Napoli 2-4 Barcelona

Barcelona players celebrate Frankie de Jong’s goal against Napoli in the Europa League. | PHOTO; Getty Images |

But the two-goal buffer was restored just before the end of a pulsating opening period. Alba’s cross ricocheted kindly for Pique, who sent a low volley into the bottom-right corner.

Aubameyang put the tie beyond doubt on the hour mark. Fresh from his weekend hat-trick against Valencia, the former Arsenal striker produced a sublime first-time finish into the top-right corner after De Jong neatly dummied Traore’s pass.

Napoli grabbed a consolation four minutes from time by punishing sloppy Barcelona possession with Politano sweeping past Ter Stegen.

Napoli had progressed from all eight of their European knockout ties after drawing the first leg away from home.

But that impressive streak ended abruptly against an inspired Barca, who registered 16 shots to their opponents’ seven and scored four times from six on target.

The Netherlands international produced an inspired performance in the middle of the park, which was capped by a second goal in as many games.

De Jong recorded game-high tallies for successful passes (71), passes in opponents’ half (47) and key passes (three), while no player gained possession more times (nine).

The Wolves loanee wreaked havoc on the Napoli defence with his trademark pace and power throughout the contest.

Traore recorded game-high tallies of two assists – running half the length of the field before feeding Alba for the first – and five crosses along the way.

Both sides return to domestic action on Sunday. Barcelona host Athletic Bilbao in LaLiga, with Napoli travelling to Lazio in Serie A.

Nathan Sialah is a journalist by profession with interest in politics, sports, cryptocurrency and human interests with 5 years experience in Radio and Digital Journalism. This has helped Sialah develop a responsible approach to any task he undertakes or any situation that he is presented with.

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