Barcelona thrashed Napoli 4-2 in the Europa League last 16 on Thursday in a display of serious force to win 5-3 on aggregate.
Jordi Alba struck a lightning counterattack from Napoli’s corner and a brilliant long-range effort from Frankie de Jong effectively ended the tie with three quarters of the match playing.
Lorenzo Insigne from the penalty spot in the middle of the first half gave the hosts hope that Xavi’s thrilling side could have been more, and Gerard Pique was absolutely sure there would be no Napoli return at the stroke of half-time.
A grim night for Napoli, chasing the first Serie A title in three decades, was capped by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang just before the hour mark, impressive for a dynamic Barca team that looks like it Competition can go all the way.
“We dominated for 90 minutes and this is the first time we have done this since becoming coach,” Xavi told reporters.
“It’s a win over a team that I repeat is a Champions League-level team that doesn’t score as many goals and is fighting for the league title.”
Matteo Politano pulled back once in the last minute, but it was a walk for Barca in Friday’s draw for the last 16, whose matches will be played on March 10 and 17.
Politano told Sky Sport Italia: “We made life difficult for ourselves with that terrible start… will pass through.”
Napoli fans applaud Barca
The night began with much enthusiasm at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona as both teams lined up with a banner that read “Stop War” to protest Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, to loud applause.
Although Napoli immediately handed Barca the initiative, a terrible short corner was cleared by Adana Traore, who ran to the ground and fed Alba, who calmly drove home the opener.
That error, and the flamboyant manner in which he was punished, stunned the home side and when de Jong curled in an excellent second the match and tie were completely over and dusty.
Sergio Dest and Aubameyang then blew the whistle off Alex Meret’s goal as home fans began to express their displeasure at their team’s sneaky efforts.
Napoli were given a lifeline by Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who came to charge to beat Viktor Osimhen on the ball, but the Nigerian was taken out and handed a penalty after the VAR check expired.
Insigne did a spot-kick in the 23rd minute, but Barca continued to dominate and home fans heaved a sigh of relief when Aubameyang somehow advanced from point-blank range.
Any illusions of being near Napoli ended on the stroke of half-time, when they failed to clear a corner and Pique fired a left footed shot behind Meret.
Such was Barca’s dominance that when Aubameyang ended a long spell of possession, and finished with a classy away fan ‘ols, Napoli supporters applauded.
The away section garnered much appreciation from their hosts when they sang anti-Juventus songs, but the rest of the match was played in a terrible silence.
Home fans began streaming in with more than 10 minutes to spare, as Barca satisfied themselves with the ball rolling around, and Politano’s well-taken consolation goal kept the long-beaten crowd. Attracted little more than a polite wave from.
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