)
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez is wary of Napoli threat led by Nigeria's Victor Osimhen ahead of UCL acid test.
Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez acknowledges nullifying Napoli's fearsome attack will be key to progressing in the Champions League tonight.
Pulse Sports Nigeria reports that LALIGA champions Barcelona will take on their Italian counterparts, Napoli, and Xavi has his eyes on Victor Osimhen and his strike partners in one of the games of the UCL round of 16 on Wednesday night.
)
03:00 - 21.02.2024
How Napoli have fared with and without Osimhen: Stats show what Partenopei will miss in Nigerian striker’s absence
With Osimhen still a fitness doubt for the crunch tie against Barcelona and also likely to depart Napoli at the end of the current campaign, we ask the question: how do Napoli perform when the Nigerian star is not available for selection?
)
17:51 - 20.02.2024
Napoli: The coaching crew Osimhen will work with until the summer
Having already decided on Napoli’s new short-term coach, the crew to assist Francesco Calzona and centre-forward Victor Osimhen until June is set to be announced.
Xavi on Osimhen and Napoli
Ahead of the first leg of their last-16 tie in Naples, Xavi singled out Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, striker Osimhen and Italian forward Matteo Politano as major threats.
"It is crucial for us to defend well tomorrow (today),” Xavi stated according to getfootballnewsspain.
)
The Barcelona manager is under no illusions about the quality Napoli possess going forward led by the club icon and Super Eagles star, Osimhen.
It’s difficult to stop Kvaratskhelia, Osimhen and Politano. They are top players," Xavi stated.
)
But he knows shackling their free-scoring frontline will be pivotal if Barcelona are to gain a first-leg advantage at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
For Xavi, how his defense copes with Napoli's offensive weapons could decide the tie. It looms as Barcelona's acid test.
)
Nigeria’s Osimhen, 25, who is the African Player of the Year, recently returned from AFCON 2023, where he led the Super Eagles to a second place finish.
The Napoli man scored just one goal in seven matches as Nigeria lost 2-1 to host nation Cote d’Ivoire in the final. Osimhen is back in Naples but watched from the VIP stand as Napoli struggled to a 1-1 draw against Genoa in the league.
Related content
03:00 - 21.02.2024
How Napoli have fared with and without Osimhen: Stats show what Partenopei will miss in Nigerian striker’s absence
With Osimhen still a fitness doubt for the crunch tie against Barcelona and also likely to depart Napoli at the end of the current campaign, we ask the question: how do Napoli perform when the Nigerian star is not available for selection?
)
00:22 - 21.02.2024
Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong unhappy to be linked to Manchester United and Chelsea
The Blaugrana midfielder has said he is angry with rumours linking him away from Barcelona in the summer
)
21:14 - 20.02.2024
Two Nigerians who could replace Osimhen at Napoli
Napoli look to keep up their love affair with Nigerians as they eye two of Osimhen's compatriots to replace the Super Eagles star striker
)
20:10 - 20.02.2024
PSG Set to Make First Approach for Chelsea Target Victor Osimhen
Osimhen is touted as PSG's favourite to replace the outgoing Kylian Mbappe but the lifelong Chelsea fan has his sights set on a move to join the Blues
)
18:56 - 20.02.2024
Mbappé's PSG exit puts Chelsea's Osimhen deal in jeopardy
Kylian Mbappe's impending exit from Paris Saint-Germain puts Chelsea's desire for Victor Osimhen in danger.
17:51 - 20.02.2024
Napoli: The coaching crew Osimhen will work with until the summer
Having already decided on Napoli’s new short-term coach, the crew to assist Francesco Calzona and centre-forward Victor Osimhen until June is set to be announced.
)
16:59 - 20.02.2024
Xavi and the failed Barcelona Reunion: What went wrong?
Xavi has announced that he would resign as Barcelona's manager at the end of the season
)
11:41 - 20.02.2024
Osimhen's New Boss to Take Over Before Napoli's Crucial UCL Tie Against Barcelona
Napoli's new boss will get a baptism of fire in the UEFA Champions League against five-time winners Barcelona
)
10:55 - 20.02.2024
UCL: Sacked Napoli boss reveals Osimhen wish against Barcelona
Walter Mazzarri was sacked as Napoli boss ahead of their Champions League clash against Barcelona following Napoli’s 1-1 draw against Genoa in the absence of Victor Osimhen.
21:20 - 19.02.2024
Francesco Calzona: Osimhen gets familiar face as third Napoli manager this season
Francesco Calzona was a part of Luciano Spalletti's Napoli team that included Victor Osimhen before he left to Slovakia.
)
19:05 - 19.02.2024
Victor Osimhen: Is Eagles striker causing Napoli dressing room discontent?
SSC Napoli dressing room has reportedly split over Victor Osimhen's perceived preferential treatment.
)
21:24 - 18.02.2024
Osimhen to Chelsea in danger as Blues plan shock move for English striker
Chelsea are reportedly monitoring the situation of Harry Kane amid Bayern Munich's struggles.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)