Hello and welcome to LIVE coverage of Napoli v Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League. This is the first leg, with the return match taking place in the distant future (18 March, to be precise). Barcelona have some Champions League demons to exorcise after those shocking collapses against Roma and Liverpool in the last two seasons. At least they play the away leg first time. Kick off is at 8pm UK time, 9pm in Naples, and we’ll have team news shortly.
Champions League / Last 16
Stadio Diego Armando Maradona / 25.02.2020
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- D. Mertens(30')
- A. Griezmann(57')
Live
Live Updates
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Updated 25/02/2020 at 21:56 GMT
40'
37'
Napoli continue to shuffle from side to side, like rows of aliens in Space Invaders, every time Barcelona have the ball. It's brazen catenaccio, but it's working a treat.
36'
35'
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Image credit: Getty Images
34'
33'
Thus far, Napoli have done an immaculate number on Barcelona.
30'
GOAL! Napoli 1-0 Barcelona (Mertens) Dries Mertens gives Napoli the lead with a majestic finish! It came out of nothing, with Napoli suddenly finding themselves three against two after a slight mistake from Junior Firpo. Zielinski screwed a perceptive pass across the edge of the area to find Mertens, who moved the ball onto his right foot and curled an extravagant shot into the far top corner. Brilliant.
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Goal
D. Mertens
Napoli
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Goals1
On target2
28'
A round-up of all the excitement so far:
27'
A rare opportunity for Barcelona to counter-attack. Messi leads a three-on-three break, with plenty of space for the first time in the match. But he delays too long on the edge of the area and his pass to Griezmann is blocked by Manolas.
25'
Nothing much is happening. Napoli's defensive tactics have been so effective that the game has been almost entirely devoid of entertainment.
22'
Messi has started to drift to the wing, the only place where there is any space. So far, Napoli's defensive tactics have worked perfectly.
19'
Rakitic's long-range shot is blocked. Napoli's defence and midfield are so tight, with no space for Barcelona to work with in the centre of the pitch.
17'
Fabian Ruiz sweeps a lovely, imaginative pass out to Callejon on the right. His first-time cross takes a deflection off Junior Firpo and dribbles into the hands of ter Stegen. That was an important touch from Junior Firpo because Zielinski was unmarked at the far post.
16'
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Image credit: Getty Images
15'
A good move from Napoli, who move from one end of the field to the other with a series of short, precise passes. Eventually Pique makes a good sliding tackle on Mertens in the area.
13'
The Napoli fans are starting to get frustrated by Barcelona's dominance. Napoli are sitting very deep, happy to play on the counter-attack.
10'
Now Napoli have their first effort, with Mertens hitting a shot from the edge of the area that is comfortably held by ter Stegen.
9'
9'
Messi has the first shot, lashing a bouncing ball high over the bar from 20 yards.
8'
Napoli are slowly easing their way into the game. It's been a sedate start, surprisingly so.
6'
It's been a solid start from Barcelona, who have had most of the ball so far.