Barca win thriller to book place in Champions League quarterfinals
FC Barcelona won a thrilling Champions League tie 3-1 at home to Napoli to assure their place in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
FC Barcelona won a thrilling Champions League tie 3-1 at home to Napoli to assure their place in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
Raphinha opened the scoring in the 20th minute and could have had two more before halftime as Barca dominated their rivals well below usual level.
Both Real Madrid and FC Barcelona look set to lose key defenders for at least a month, with right back Dani Carvajal sidelined for Real Madrid and central defender Inigo Martinez out for Barca.
FC Barcelona have confirmed the worst fears over the knee injury suffered by 19-year-old midfielder Gavi who played for Spain against Georgia on Sunday night.
Real Madrid entertain Rayo Vallecano in a Madrid derby on Sunday night, and the game could offer Carlo Ancelotti's side the chance to move clear at the top of the table.
Aleksander Isak wasted no time in equalising for the hosts, who forced Marc Andre Ter Stegen into some fine saves and saw a second-half goal ruled out for offside, reports DPA.
Frenkie de Jong or Miralem Pjanic might fill the void in midfield left by Sergio Busquets' dismissal in the disappointing goalless tie that Barca played to open the new campaign, while Jordi Alba struggled last week and Balde might be given a chance.
Barca showed flashes of brilliance on Saturday, but Rayo defended well and have not conceded a goal in their last three meetings with the Catalans.
During his eight years in Bayern, Lewandowski scored 344 goals to secure six Bundesliga top goalscorer titles. This summer the Polish striker decided to start a new challenge as he signed a 4-year contract with FC Barcelona.
FC Barcelona on Saturday announced they had reached the "principle of an agreement" to sign the Polish striker.