Calzona and Osimhen effect, Napoli worthy of applause: Barcelona stopped: 1-1 at Maradona
Napoli-Barcelona for the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 ends 1-1 at Maradona, Lewandowski unlocks and Osimhen draws saving the first outing of the new coach Francesco Calzona. Barcelona got off to a dangerous start with Yamal in the 4th minute with a high shot and in the 9th minute with a great precise shot canceled out by Meret, in the 14th minute it was Lewandowski who looked for the goal but missed. Lewandowski again in the 22nd minute following a pass into the area by Cancelo, Meret saves again with his foot.
In the second half a more balanced start compared to the Catalan dominance of the first, but it was Barça who shot on goal in the 48th minute with Gundogan with a right-footed shot outside the area, a weak shot and Meret saved easily. In the 50th minute Osimhen ran into the opponent's area but was immediately stopped for offside. The champion Lewandowski broke the deadlock: a great right-footed shot following an assist from Pedri, mocking Rrahmani's defence. Pedri almost doubled the lead with a sudden left-footed volley from outside the area in the 66th minute, it could surprise Meret but it wasn't difficult for the Neapolitan number 1 to repel.
Two minutes later Calzona brings out Kvaratskhelia for Lindstrom. But it was a flash from Osimhen that brought Napoli back to parity in the 75th minute after a very short melee in the Catalan area and a very quick right-footed shot intercepted but badly by Ter Stegen, 1-1. Immediately afterwards the Nigerian phenomenon comes out in favor of Simeone, who becomes dangerous in the final of the match in the 87th minute with a right-footed shot that goes high over the crossbar. Four minutes of injury time.
Naples, Calzona: “We have rediscovered the desire to fight”
“We have a lot to work on, but I congratulated the boys because they have rediscovered the desire to fight – the words of Napoli coach Francesco Calzona to Prime Video after the draw with Barcelona in the Champions League -. We had an excellent finish to the race. On a tactical level there are steps forward to be made, we have fielded players who are not at their best after the Africa Cup of Nations and I will want more from them especially in the defensive phase. We conceded too much to a team like Barcelona, against whom you risk paying dearly. However, at the end we certainly believed we could win it and this is an important signal.”
“I liked the spirit, I saw players who gave their soul and who didn't want to lose the match. What I didn't like was the disorder on the pitch, although it's understandable given the little time we had to prepare for the match. The changes have put things back a bit, I'm very happy with whoever took over. The first half hour we suffered a lot, but then we reacted, albeit as I said with a bit of disorder. This skill is fundamental for a team, it gives me satisfaction”, concludes Calzona.
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