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Attendance: 44,388
Napoli logo
Champions League | Round of 16
Feb 25, 2020 at 8pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

1-1

Mertens (30')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Griezmann (57')

How Barcelona could line up against Napoli

Ahead of Tuesday's Champions League fixture between Napoli and Barcelona, Sports Mole looks at how Quique Setien's side could line up in Italy.

Barcelona head into the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Napoli having returned to the top of the La Liga table.

After thrashing Eibar on Saturday afternoon, the Catalan giants watched on as Real Madrid succumbed to a surprise defeat at Levante later on the same day.

Quique Setien's team have now put together a three-match winning streak in Spain's flight, although his players have much to prove on the continent after a number of inconsistent displays during the group stages.

Here, Sports Mole predicts how Barcelona may line up for the fixture at Stadio San Paolo on Tuesday night.



BARXI VS. NAP

Out: Luis Suarez (knee), Ousmane Dembele (hamstring), Jordi Alba (adductor), Martin Braithwaite (ineligible), Sergi Roberto (adductor)

> Click here for Barcelona's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Despite being allowed to sign from Leganes earlier this week, Martin Braithwaite is unable to feature in the Champions League for the rest of the season.

That could see Arturo Vidal remain out on the left flank, a role which he occupied during the five-goal demolition of Eibar at Camp Nou.

Unless Setien switches to a diamond formation, Lionel Messi will work off his trademark right-wing position, leaving Antoine Griezmann to occupy a role down the centre.

Setien has plenty of options as far as his midfield is concerned, with Frenkie de Jong hoping to be recalled in place of Ivan Rakitic or Arthur.

As a result of Jordi Alba's adductor injury, Junior Firpo will continue to deputise at left-back, while Sergi Roberto may have been preferred to Nelson Semedo had he not suffered an adductor injury over the weekend.

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Barcelona manager Quique Setien pictured in January 2020
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33Bologna60242
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