Napoli crash out of Champions League amid regrets as Barcelona seal quarter-final spot

Barcelona are through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League in a game that will be, once again, remembered for the performances of their young stars, with Napoli crashing out with regrets, as they wasted a golden opportunity to equalise and had penalty appeals rejected in the 3-1 defeat to the Catalans.

The home fans welcomed the side to the ground with a sensational show of support and noise, and the players repaid them from minute one.

Xavi’s side pressed high and scored two quick-fire goals from Fermín and Cancelo to send the crowd into delirium and the club into the driving seat.

The first leg ended 1-1 on coach Francesco Calzona’s debut and he was unbeaten since then, earning two wins and three draws, but coming off Friday’s disappointing 1-1 result with Torino. Piotr Zielinski was cup-tied, with Amir Rrahmani returning from injury, but the Blaugrana missed Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Ferran Torres, Marcos Alonso, Gavi and Alejandro Balde.

As Camp Nou is undergoing renovations, this game was played at the Estadi Olimpico Lluis Companys, or the Estadi Olimpic de Montjuic.

Pau Cubarsi floated a ball over the top for Fermin Lopez to spring the offside trap, but the midfielder could not keep his lob down.

It was only a warning, as Fermin Lopez was able to sweep in with the inside of the right boot undisturbed from 12 yards after Robert Lewandowski’s dummy let the Raphinha pull-back through from the by-line.

Napoli tried to react with Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, but were caught on the counter-attack sparked by Lamine Yamal, as first Raphina cut inside Giovanni Di Lorenzo for a curler thumping the far post, then Joao Cancelo turned in the rebound for 2-0.

Napoli got themselves back into it with a very similar goal to the Blaugrana’s first, as Matteo Politano pulled back from the right by-line beyond Victor Osimhen for Amir Rrahmani to side-foot home from 12 yards.

It was very nearly 2-2 just five minutes later, as Marc-Andre ter Stegen flew to fingertip the Di Lorenzo looping header out from under the bar on a Mario Rui cross.

Straight after the restart, Kvaratskhelia turned and curled just wide from outside the D, while Politano had a shot charged down by Cubarsi in the box. Osimhen had strong penalty appeals rejected when Cubarsi seemed to tread on the Napoli striker’s foot.

Alex Meret parried a Raphina effort from 12 yards and Ter Stegen had to be alert on a deflected Politano assist before Osimhen could pounce, while a crucial header prevented the Politano cross finding the Nigerian.

Barcelona had the ball in the net after a corner when Meret got behind the Lewandowski header, but Lamine Yamal was in an offside position as he bundled the rebound over the line.

Meret got down to push a ferocious Ilkay Gundogan strike out of the near bottom corner, while Lamine Yamal bent a finish just wide of the far post.

Napoli really should’ve equalised at the 80th minute when a cross from the left found Jesper Lindstrom unmarked, but incredibly the free header went wide of the far stick.

It proved incredibly costly, because Barcelona scored moments later. Sergi Roberto completed a smart give and go with Gundogan to burst into the box and rolled it across for Lewandowski to poke home from six yards.

The Partenopei were unlucky too, as in the final minute Mathias Olivera’s cross-shot thumped the crossbar, then Kvaratskhelia drilled inches wide.

Barcelona 3-1 Napoli (4-2 agg)

Fermin Lopez 15 (B), Joao Cancelo 17 (B), Rrahmani 30 (N), Lewandowski 83 (B)

Photo Credit: FCBarcelona/ ChampionsLeague/ X

Transfer market expert provides update on Victor Osimhen move to Chelsea

Chelsea have been heavily linked with a move for Napoli star Victor Osimhen and transfer market expert Matteo Moretto has provided an update on the story.

The 25-year-old Nigerian striker seems destined to leave the defending champions in the summer following the chaotic events of their post-Scudetto season. In an interview earlier this month, he claimed to have already decided the ‘next step’ of his career ahead of the summer transfer window.

Osimhen has a €120-130m release clause in his new Napoli contract and reports last week suggested that Chelsea are willing to activate this in the summer, keen to snap him up ahead of their rivals. The West London side have also reportedly prepared a lucrative contract for the star striker.

Transfer market expert Matteo Moretto told Fabrizio Romano’s Daily Briefing that Chelsea still haven’t made contact with Napoli yet to explore a deal for Osimhen and that there haven’t been any steps forward since his interview with CBS.

The Blues aren’t the only club interested in the 25-year-old Nigerian star, with clubs across Europe ready to compete for his signature in the summer, and the tough negotiating skills of Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis mean it’s likely his release clause will have to be paid.

Carlo Ancelotti breaks silence as Napoli stars pour encomiums on him after dismissal from Serie A club

Carlo Ancelotti has thanked Napoli for an “unforgettable experience” managing the club, despite his dismissal last night.

Ancelotti was sacked after having steered the Partenopei to the last 16 of the Champions League following a tense couple of months at the San Paolo.

Many of Napoli’s players took to Instagram to post messages of gratitude to their former boss, and now Carletto has broken his own silence.

“I would like to personally thank the club, its employees, my players, my staff and the president for the opportunity to live an unforgettable experience in a wonderful city such as Naples,” he tweeted.

Players have been sending their messages of farewell on social media.

Defender Kostas Manolas posted a picture on his Instagram account:

“Thank you from the heart coach for all that you have done for me and for Napoli. It was an honour to have had you as my coach. Good luck to you and all your staff and I wish you all the best, because you deserve it!”

Midfielder Allan, who played a pivotal role in the player mutiny that led to the problems within the club, also posted a good luck message.

“You are a special person, much more than a manager. I thank you for everything that you have done in almost two years together. I wish good luck to you and your staff.”

Captain Lorenzo Insigne famously clashed with Ancelotti several times, but wrote this on Instagram, report Football Italia.

“Thank you mister, it was an honour to have worked with you and your staff. In these due years I have known a special person. I wish you all the best!”

Arkadiusz Milik, who bagged a hat-trick in Ancelotti’s final game, posted this on Instgram.

“Thanks mister for the support that you have given me and you have made me improve as a player and as a man. I wish you all the best.”

Right-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo also took to Instagram to show his appreciation for Ancelotti.

“You gave me confidence, you helped me to improve, you gave me my debut in the Champions League and you helped me to arrive in the national team. Thanks for everything mister.”

Photo Credit: Twitter @sscnapoli.it

Gennaro Gattuso set to replace Carlo Ancelloti at Napoli as AC Milan legend meets Aurelio De Laurentiis today

There are reports in Italy that Napoli will appoint former Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso as early as this week.

CalcioNapoli24 reporter Ciro Venerato claims Gattuso “will be the new Napoli coach from Wednesday”, replacing the beleaguered Carlo Ancelotti.

Venerato explains how super-agent Jorge Mendes has been working as an intermediary to negotiate a deal between the coach and club President Aurelio De Laurentiis, report Football Italia.

Tuttosport claim that Gattuso is scheduled to meet with the Partenopei President in the Italian capital today.

Napoli are seventh after 15 games, on 21 points, and Ancelotti is currently overseeing a run of nine games without a win.

Gattuso lost his job after steering Milan to fifth place in Serie A last season and the newspaper also claims that the former Rossonero could also get an offer from Fiorentina and Chinese Guagnzhou Evergrande.

As it stands, the 41-year-old looks like taking over the reins regardless of what happens against Genk tomorrow.

Napoli need to beat the Belgian side to be sure of their place in the Champions League last 16 and a multi-million Euro windfall.