The key match arrives. A match that will decide Barça's short term. And both the team and the club have hopes of moving forward in this edition of the Champions League. Drawn in the first leg and a rival, Naples, who has changed things and improved performance since the arrival of Calzona. The board will have a lot to say. Here my keys for this great meeting:
The first big question for tonight is how Xavi will decide to rebuild the team with the casualties. Against Mallorca there was a clear example of his first idea of placing Raphinha as an interior player. Something that may or may not be modified for tonight. What was clear is that the Barça coach's intention is, regardless of the protagonists he chooses, not to touch the system. Based on this, the first possibility would be to form with an engine room with Christensen, Gündogan, Raphinha and Fermín coming in from the left. The second is to choose between Fermín or Raphinha as interior and have João Félix occupy the left corner of the square. And finally, some creative alternative option such as placing Cancelo inside or, unlikely according to the preferences seen so far, bringing in Oriol Romeu. It will be vital that Xavi makes the right choice.
Barça's improvement in the first leg was based on high pressing. Barça pressed with Lamine Yamal accompanying Lewandowski, and Koundé remaining in an intermediate zone. The framing worked and is working well in recent games against defenses of four. And it is essential that it also works today. For many reasons. The first, because Naples is a team that wants to come from behind many times. The second, because this will reduce the intensity of the offensive players (Lewandowski, Gündogan or Lamine). And finally, because it is the best way to keep the opponent away from your goal. A key factor that allows you to attack and defend better as a block. To pass, Barça has to be outstanding in the collective pressure in the rival field.
It may be that Xavi decides to place him next to Christensen. In fact, it is most likely. But for me, it would be very important for Gündogan to play close to Lewandowski. The German can and has to do damage between the lines. Because without Pedri, he is the most clairvoyant footballer to generate danger in the last third of the field. Furthermore, today he will have an ideal context to participate a lot and, consequently, to have room to receive, turn and decide. Because Calzona's Napoli plays in 1-4-3-3 and the main weakness of this system is the pivot sides. And there, Gündogan's experience, reading, poise and football have to be decisive.
After his performance against Mallorca, the youth squad will once again be a starter. And although he does not touch him due to age, it is most likely that he will once again be Barça's greatest offensive argument. In his supposed duel against Mario Rui he is clearly superior. He will do well for the team to get the ball to him in conditions. Day for Lewandowski to use good movements to hurt the center of the Italian defense. Naples is not a team with great defensive fundamentals and the loss/doubt of Rahmani (the team's best centre-back) adds more fuel to the fragility. Reason why the Barça nine will have a good opportunity to find the necessary space to receive from the side or make short breaks between defenders that allow him to find shots on goal.
Calzona replaced the two in the first leg and they are now in excellent form. The Georgian is not only the most disruptive player in Naples, but on the continent. With an average of 3.7 superior dribbles per game, he is the third best dribbler in the Champions League only behind Martinelli and Jéremy Doku. Furthermore, in recent weeks, he has connected with the rival goal. He has four goals and an assist in the last three games. By importance in the Italian team and also by moment, Victor Osimhen stands out. The Nigerian is not a goal scorer with a very marked stereotype, but rather he is highly complete. He can be dangerous in finishing when he is in the area and, because of his great power, he can do a lot of damage with spaces. He has scored eleven goals in Serie A and five goals in the last five games.
