• BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen - 6: Save from Osimhen after 22 minutes showed he had to be aware. Stopped Zielinski’s shot but couldn’t save the follow up as the Italians went ahead after 29 minutes. Distribution not to the usual standard. Reuters
    BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen - 6: Save from Osimhen after 22 minutes showed he had to be aware. Stopped Zielinski’s shot but couldn’t save the follow up as the Italians went ahead after 29 minutes. Distribution not to the usual standard. Reuters
  • Oscar Mingueza - 7: Zielinski put the ball through his legs on 22 as the Italians showed their attacking danger. Crossed to Torres just before break, who should’ve scored. Important blocked a cross on just after hour mark as Napoli attacked. EPA
    Oscar Mingueza - 7: Zielinski put the ball through his legs on 22 as the Italians showed their attacking danger. Crossed to Torres just before break, who should’ve scored. Important blocked a cross on just after hour mark as Napoli attacked. EPA
  • Gerard Pique - 5: Easily beaten for pace by Osimhen, but then Napoli are a very good side. Still, Pique wasn’t at his best. EPA
    Gerard Pique - 5: Easily beaten for pace by Osimhen, but then Napoli are a very good side. Still, Pique wasn’t at his best. EPA
  • Eric Garcia - 7: Sees far more of the ball than Pique to his side in the 4-3-3 formation and had the highest passing accuracy on the pitch. AP
    Eric Garcia - 7: Sees far more of the ball than Pique to his side in the 4-3-3 formation and had the highest passing accuracy on the pitch. AP
  • Jordi Alba - 6: Yet again he had far more touches than any other player, but while he usually stretches Barca’s left, it was the right side which was more effective towards the end. AFP
    Jordi Alba - 6: Yet again he had far more touches than any other player, but while he usually stretches Barca’s left, it was the right side which was more effective towards the end. AFP
  • Frenkie de Jong - 5: Played in the Busquets role and drifted without picking up goalscorer Zielinski. Not enough forward passes. AFP
    Frenkie de Jong - 5: Played in the Busquets role and drifted without picking up goalscorer Zielinski. Not enough forward passes. AFP
  • Nico Gonzalez - 7: Now wearing Coutinho’s No 14 shirt, he had a productive evening tackling and winning the possession back for Barca. Skilful for a big player. AFP
    Nico Gonzalez - 7: Now wearing Coutinho’s No 14 shirt, he had a productive evening tackling and winning the possession back for Barca. Skilful for a big player. AFP
  • Pedri - 8: Was one year old the last time Barcelona played in this competition. Shot over after five minutes. Played a fine pass to Aubameyang to set up Torres. Made three key passes but also lost Zielinski’s run for the Napoli goal. AP
    Pedri - 8: Was one year old the last time Barcelona played in this competition. Shot over after five minutes. Played a fine pass to Aubameyang to set up Torres. Made three key passes but also lost Zielinski’s run for the Napoli goal. AP
  • Adama Traore - 6: Had played well and attracting a lot of tackles from opponents, but less effective here, though his cross led to the handball for Barcelona’s penalty. AFP
    Adama Traore - 6: Had played well and attracting a lot of tackles from opponents, but less effective here, though his cross led to the handball for Barcelona’s penalty. AFP
  • Ferran Torres- 5: Had an excellent chance to put his side ahead but smashed wide and headed another chance off target just before break. Redemption came when he scored a 58th-minute penalty. Shot high over late on when he should have scored. Got in the right positions but ridiculously profligate. Getty
    Ferran Torres- 5: Had an excellent chance to put his side ahead but smashed wide and headed another chance off target just before break. Redemption came when he scored a 58th-minute penalty. Shot high over late on when he should have scored. Got in the right positions but ridiculously profligate. Getty
  • Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 6: First start for his new team after two sub appearances. Worked hard all night and created Barca’s first chance – and the second good one for Torres. Shot over in second half when the Catalans should have put Napoli out of sight. AP
    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 6: First start for his new team after two sub appearances. Worked hard all night and created Barca’s first chance – and the second good one for Torres. Shot over in second half when the Catalans should have put Napoli out of sight. AP
  • SUBS: Sergio Busquets – (On for De Jong 65’) 7: Barca’s midfield imediately improved when he came on. EPA
    SUBS: Sergio Busquets – (On for De Jong 65’) 7: Barca’s midfield imediately improved when he came on. EPA
  • Gavi – (On for Nico 65’) 7: Set up Luuk De Jong on 90 minutes. Name was being sung loud and clear by the vast crowd at the end. AP
    Gavi – (On for Nico 65’) 7: Set up Luuk De Jong on 90 minutes. Name was being sung loud and clear by the vast crowd at the end. AP
  • Ousmane Dembele – (On for Traore 65’) 7: Loudly booed by his own fans for failing to sign a new contract. On his day, he’s a fantastic talent. Dangerous around the box, a real threat on the right. Getty
    Ousmane Dembele – (On for Traore 65’) 7: Loudly booed by his own fans for failing to sign a new contract. On his day, he’s a fantastic talent. Dangerous around the box, a real threat on the right. Getty
  • Sergino Dest – (On for Mingueza 81’) N/A. Involved in the last move of the game, when defending well. EPA
    Sergino Dest – (On for Mingueza 81’) N/A. Involved in the last move of the game, when defending well. EPA
  • Luuk de Jong – (On for Aubameyang 86’) N/A. Came on to a huge cheer – and that’s not something which would have happened a couple of months ago. The stage was set, but his overhead kick flew off target after 90 minutes. Getty
    Luuk de Jong – (On for Aubameyang 86’) N/A. Came on to a huge cheer – and that’s not something which would have happened a couple of months ago. The stage was set, but his overhead kick flew off target after 90 minutes. Getty
  • NAPOLI RATINGS: Alex Meret - 7: Comfortable first save of game from Nico shot after 15 minutes but wayward Barca finishing meant he wasn’t troubled into serious action again until very late in game. Booked for time-wasting. AFP
    NAPOLI RATINGS: Alex Meret - 7: Comfortable first save of game from Nico shot after 15 minutes but wayward Barca finishing meant he wasn’t troubled into serious action again until very late in game. Booked for time-wasting. AFP
  • Giovanni Di Lorenzo - 7: Caught in possession leading to Pedri’s early chance. Crucial header on dangerous Barca cross just after half-time. Reuters
    Giovanni Di Lorenzo - 7: Caught in possession leading to Pedri’s early chance. Crucial header on dangerous Barca cross just after half-time. Reuters
  • Kalidou Koulibaly - 8: Senegalese Africa Cup of Nations winning defender was immense, as usual. Positioning and distribution impeccable. Strong in the air and cool on the deck. No wonder he has long been coveted by clubs across Europe. AFP
    Kalidou Koulibaly - 8: Senegalese Africa Cup of Nations winning defender was immense, as usual. Positioning and distribution impeccable. Strong in the air and cool on the deck. No wonder he has long been coveted by clubs across Europe. AFP
  • Amir Rrahmani - 7: Poor sliding challenge led to chance for Torres that Barca striker smashed over. Much better one to take ball off same player’s toes just after break. Vital interception on Dembele cross with Aubameyang lurking. AFP
    Amir Rrahmani - 7: Poor sliding challenge led to chance for Torres that Barca striker smashed over. Much better one to take ball off same player’s toes just after break. Vital interception on Dembele cross with Aubameyang lurking. AFP
  • Juan Jesus - 7: Out of position at full-back but did well dealing with blistering pace of Traore. Very harsh handball call against him from Traore cross after VAR intervention that resulted in Torres’ scoring penalty. AFP
    Juan Jesus - 7: Out of position at full-back but did well dealing with blistering pace of Traore. Very harsh handball call against him from Traore cross after VAR intervention that resulted in Torres’ scoring penalty. AFP
  • Fabian Ruiz - 6: Some strong tackles from former Real Betis man in centre of park but guilty of being caught in possession too often. Questionable yellow card for challenge on Busquets. Picked up nasty head injury late in game. Getty
    Fabian Ruiz - 6: Some strong tackles from former Real Betis man in centre of park but guilty of being caught in possession too often. Questionable yellow card for challenge on Busquets. Picked up nasty head injury late in game. Getty
  • Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa - 6: Powerful midfielder picked up first-half booking for miss-timed challenge on Nico. Strong running and tackling but passing was ragged in second half and looked shattered well before he came off. AFP
    Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa - 6: Powerful midfielder picked up first-half booking for miss-timed challenge on Nico. Strong running and tackling but passing was ragged in second half and looked shattered well before he came off. AFP
  • Elif Elmas - 7: Macedonian’s brilliant turn and lay-off set up Zielinsksi goal but no opportunities to add to his four Europa League goals this season. EPA
    Elif Elmas - 7: Macedonian’s brilliant turn and lay-off set up Zielinsksi goal but no opportunities to add to his four Europa League goals this season. EPA
  • Piotr Zielinski - 8: Lovely bit of skill to beat a player and put ball behind Barca’s defence for Osimhen’s first-half chance. Reacted well to smash ball into roof of net after Ter Stegen saved his initial shot. AFP
    Piotr Zielinski - 8: Lovely bit of skill to beat a player and put ball behind Barca’s defence for Osimhen’s first-half chance. Reacted well to smash ball into roof of net after Ter Stegen saved his initial shot. AFP
  • Lorenzo Insigne - 5: Clever touches in both halves - some coming off, some not – but no sight of goal and no surprise when taken off in second half.
    Lorenzo Insigne - 5: Clever touches in both halves - some coming off, some not – but no sight of goal and no surprise when taken off in second half.
  • Victor Osimhen - 7: Nigerian striker, an injury doubt before game, put through on goal after 22 minutes but Ter Stegen saved his low shot. Pace caused Barca some problems but lacked support up front, particularly in second half. AFP
    Victor Osimhen - 7: Nigerian striker, an injury doubt before game, put through on goal after 22 minutes but Ter Stegen saved his low shot. Pace caused Barca some problems but lacked support up front, particularly in second half. AFP
  • SUBS: Adam Ounas – (On for Insigne 72’) 6: Joined the action with Barca completely on top and little chance to make impact going forward. Reuters
    SUBS: Adam Ounas – (On for Insigne 72’) 6: Joined the action with Barca completely on top and little chance to make impact going forward. Reuters
  • Dries Mertens – (On for Osimhen 80’) N/A. One good chance but could only hit shot straight at goalkeeper. AP Diego Demme – (On for Zielinski 80’) N/A.
    Dries Mertens – (On for Osimhen 80’) N/A. One good chance but could only hit shot straight at goalkeeper. AP Diego Demme – (On for Zielinski 80’) N/A.
  • Mario Rui – (On for Elmas 84’) N/A. Poor play resulted in late chance falling for Torres that striker managed to blaze over. Reuters
    Mario Rui – (On for Elmas 84’) N/A. Poor play resulted in late chance falling for Torres that striker managed to blaze over. Reuters
  • Kevin Malcuit – (On for Anguissa 84’) N/A. Reuters
    Kevin Malcuit – (On for Anguissa 84’) N/A. Reuters

Barca's Europa League return against Napoli on a knife edge as Rangers look to finish job


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Barcelona's Europa League tie against Napoli is finely poised heading into the return in Italy on Thursday as Rangers look to finish the job against Borussia Dortmund following their stunning 4-2 win in the first leg last week.

Barca needed a Ferran Torres penalty to draw at home to Napoli in the first leg of their knockout round play-off tie after Piotr Zielinski put the Serie A side in front at the Camp Nou.

However, with the away goals rule having been dispensed with this season by UEFA, the heavyweight tie remains very much in the balance going to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Barcelona are enduring a troubled season, but Xavi Hernandez's side still cross the Mediterranean in good form having gone five unbeaten and not lost in 90 minutes since Bayern Munich dumped them out of the Champions League in early December.

They won 4-1 at Valencia in La Liga at the weekend with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scoring a hat-trick, while Napoli are third in Serie A after drawing 1-1 with Cagliari on Monday.

Scottish champions Rangers are hoping to secure a spot in the last 16 as they welcome Dortmund to Ibrox following their stunning 4-2 win in Germany.

It would go down as one of the best results in their history in Europe if they could see off the Bundesliga giants, but the outcome of the tie could hinge on whether Erling Haaland plays any part.

The Norwegian, scorer of 23 goals in 20 appearances for his club this season, missed the first leg and his team's last three domestic outings due to injury but has now returned to training and could feature in Govan.

However, USA starlet Gio Reyna, whose father Claudio played for Rangers and is a close friend of the Ibrox side's manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst, is sidelined.

Barcelona are one of four Spanish teams aiming to advance to the last 16, with Real Sociedad hosting RB Leipzig and Real Betis leading 3-2 against Zenit Saint Petersburg after the first leg in Russia.

Sevilla, the record six-time winners of the second-tier European competition and who will host this season's final, lead 3-1 as they go to Dinamo Zagreb.

Updated: February 24, 2022, 8:17 AM