Osimhen subdued as Barcelona knock Napoli out of Champions League
Victor Osimhen was unable to find the net as Napoli suffered a 3-1 loss against Barcelona in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 match.
Following a 1-1 draw with Barcelona in Naples two weeks earlier, Napoli embarked on a trip to Spain for the decisive second leg encounter.
In the second leg on Tuesday night, Victor Osimhen was caged as Barcelona secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Napoli in the second leg of their Round of 16 tie at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium.
The match began with a blistering start from Barcelona, who dominated the first 20 minutes with sensational play and quick passing. They capitalized on their early momentum to create several scoring opportunities, resulting in two goals. Fermín López opened the scoring after a superb passing sequence, followed by João Cancelo doubling the lead moments later.
However, Napoli fought back, pulling a goal back through Amir Rrahmani’s strike before halftime. The Italian side continued to press forward in the second half, threatening Barcelona’s lead with dangerous attacks.
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernández made tactical adjustments, introducing Sergi Roberto and Oriol Romeu to shore up the midfield. These changes allowed Barcelona to regain control of the game and stifle Napoli’s momentum.
Despite Napoli’s persistent efforts, it was Barcelona who sealed the victory in the closing stages of the match. Captain Roberto orchestrated a brilliant solo run, setting up Robert Lewandowski for an easy tap-in to extend Barcelona’s lead.
The win was a collective effort from Barcelona, with standout performances from key players throughout the match. Xavi’s astute team selection and timely substitutions played a crucial role in securing the victory.
