SM
Barcelona vs. Valencia: 1 hr 55 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
NL
Champions League | Round of 16
Feb 25, 2020 at 8pm UK
 
BL

1-1

Mertens (30')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Griezmann (57')

Antoine Griezmann earns Barcelona away draw at Napoli

:Headline: Result: Antoine Griezmann earns Barcelona away draw at Napoli: ID:390890: from db_amp
Dries Mertens had opened the scoring for the home side.

Antoine Griezmann's second-half equaliser cancelled out a fine opener from Napoli midfielder Dries Mertens to give Barcelona the upper hand in their Champions League last-16 tie.

Belgian Mertens had made the most of the Italians' solid start to curl home an effort after 30 minutes.

However, after the midfielder was forced off with injury following a heavy challenge from Sergio Busquets, Barcelona drew level when Griezmann lashed the ball in from close range.

Neither side was able to conjure a winner, Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen making two smart saves as the first leg finished 1-1 at San Paolo.

The visitors finished with 10 men after Arturo Vidal was shown two quick yellow cards following a tackle on Mario Rui and then pushing his head into the face of the Napoli man during the closing stages.

Lionel Messi, who scored four goals in the 5-0 win over Eibar which put Barcelona top of LaLiga, sent an early chance over before Napoli made a breakaway count as Mertens swept them in front.

Piot Zielinski won possession from Junior Firpo and charged down the right before cutting the ball across the edge of the Barcelona area.

Mertens took a touch before curling a wonderful finish over a static Ter Stegen and into the top corner – a strike which saw the Belgian become Napoli's joint record scorer, level on 121 goals with Marek Hamsik.

Barcelona looked for a swift response before half-time but failed to stretch the home defence or test keeper David Ospina.

Dries Mertens scored a well-taken goal to put the Italians in front (Andrew Medichini/AP)

The Partenopei could have been further ahead after 42 minutes when a free-kick was only partial cleared, Fabian Ruiz fed Jose Callejon and his cross was fired just wide by centre-back Kostas Manolas.

Barca came out with more intensity at the start of the second half.

Busquets caught Mertens with a high tackle which saw the defensive midfielder shown a yellow card and the Belgian eventually hobbled off, to be replaced by Arkadiusz Milik in the 54th minute.

Napoli continued to be pushed back by Barcelona's press and Griezmann equalised after 57 minutes.

Nelson Semedo beat the offside trap from Busquets' pass when he darted into the right side of the area and crossed for the French World Cup winner to smash the ball in from close range.

Napoli, who finished second in Group E behind holders Liverpool, soon threatened again.

Captain Lorenzo Insigne weaved his way into the left of the Barcelona area and forced Ter Stegen into a low save.

The German was alert again to come off his line and block from Callejon.

At the other end Messi looked to get on the end of an exchange with Vidal and collided with Ospina as the Napoli keeper made a brave save, which saw both players need treatment.

Umtiti headed over a corner from Messi before Vidal saw red, meaning he will be suspended for the return at the Nou Camp next month.

Defender Gerard Pique also limped off during stoppage time with what looked like an ankle problem.

amp_article__390890 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-02-25 22:27:07:
html db last update - 2021-03-09 06:14:35 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid33266171224984
2GironaGirona33225669402971
3Barcelona32217464372770
4Atletico MadridAtletico33204962392364
5Athletic Bilbao331610753332058
6Real Sociedad331312846351151
7Real BetisBetis33121384139249
8Valencia32138113534147
9Villarreal33129125455-145
10Getafe331013104145-443
11Osasuna33116163749-1239
12Sevilla33911134246-438
13AlavesAlaves33108153138-738
14Las PalmasLas Palmas33107163041-1137
15Rayo Vallecano33713132742-1534
16Mallorca33614132739-1232
17Celta Vigo33710163750-1331
18CadizCadiz33414152346-2326
19Granada3349203661-2521
RAlmeria33111213267-3514
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .