Victor Osimhen returned to Napoli’s starting lineup with a góal to cancel Robert Lewandowski’s strike in the Champions League Round of 16 on new coach Francesco Calzona’s debut.
The Partenopei went into the tie on the back of the sack of Walter Mazzarri two days ago to bring in their third coach of the season. If given the privilege, Calzona would have asked for another opponent on his debut. But he’s delighted to get a draw against the ligà champion.
Osíhmeñ left Nigeria for the 2024 AFCON final and returned for the first game to rescue the series champions.
Barca dominated from the blast of the write.16-year-old left back Lamine Yamal, who became the youngest player ever to feature in a Champions League knockout stage game, stung Alex Meret’s gloves.
Meret was again called to action when he used his feet to deny Robert Lewandowski’s tap-in on a Joao Cancelo pull-back. Moments later, the goalie flew to palm an Ilkay Gundogan scorcher out for a corner.
It took Napoli about 25 minutes to get into the game. Although they got their composure back, it became the first time in Champions League history that Napoli failed to get a single shot in the first half.
Barcelona eventually broke the deadlock on the hour mark through Robert Lewandowski. Pedri’s ball through the legs of Amir Rrahmani found the Polish striker, who controlled, turned, and drilled low into the near bottom corner.
In the search for a second, Pedri stung Meret’s gloves from a distance.
Napoli had a chance when Jesper Lindstrom’s roll across for Osimhen was intercepted, but the crowd grumbled when Kvaratskhelia was substituted.
Osimhen, the current African Footballer of the year, restored parity for the hosts with his last kick of the game just before he was hauled off for Giovanni Simeone.
As expected, the Nigerian striker showed good strength to turn Inigo Martinez just inside the penalty area on an Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa through ball and fire in from 14 yards.
As the goal became a booster for the hosts, they started to pour forward and rack up a series of corners, from which Anguissa nodded wide of the near post.
Simeone’s half-volley was just over the bar, and Gundogan shaved a coat of paint off the base of the post in stoppages.
The match ended all square going into the second leg on March 12.
Written by Oladipupo MojeedIdowu
