UEL: Barca looking to build after win against Napoli
Napoli 2 - 4 Barcelona (3-5 on aggregate)
Barcelona looked impressive performance as they beat Napoli to reach the Europa League last 16.
They will face Galatasaray in the next round and minds have already started to turn to the challenges ahead
They quickly led by two goals when Jordi Alba finished off a counter-attack from Adama Traore's ball. Frenkie de Jong then curled in a stunning shot.
Lorenzo Insigne had then given Napoli hope with a penalty to make it 3-2 on aggregate. This was before goals from Gerard Pique and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang essentially sealed the tie.
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Barcelona must now be considered one of the favourites to win the competition. Results have picked up since ex-player Xavi replaced Ronald Koeman. Their front three all sparkled against Napoli. The Italians could not deal with their pressing from the front in the first half as Barca took control of the tie.
Traore, on loan from Wolves, has now assisted four goals in five games for the Catalan club. He brushed off several Napoli defenders to run from the halfway line and feed Alba. This got Barca up and running on the night.
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See the highlights of the match in the video below. Footage from BT Sport.
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Former Man City player Ferran Torres then backheeled the ball to De Jong to claim their second in the 13th minute.
After Insigne's spot-kick following a foul on Victor Osimhen, Pique turned in Barca's third just before half-time to restore the two-goal advantage.
Traore was then involved again for Barca's final goal of the night. He passed from the right-wing and De Jong stepped over the ball for Aubameyang to fire in an excellent shot for the fourth. The former Arsenal player is another that is slowly getting better in his new surroundings.
