It is a tough time for FC Barcelona and their innumerable fans. A 2-2 draw against Osasuna in their last La Liga fixture only made their situation worse in domestic circuit but unfortunately, their European fortunes do not seem to be pretty telling either after they crashed out of the Champions League. And now Barcelona are scheduled to play Italian club Napoli in the Europa League.
The Europa League draw took place in Switzerland to determine eight playoff matches. Napoli finished at second position in Group C. Barcelona previously faced Napoli on two occasions in European tournaments and the Italian team had to concede defeat twice.
Barcelona fans might lament the fact that they got possibly the toughest of all opponents in Europa League and moreover, they will have to travel to Naples to play the return leg of the fixture without having the away goals rule (which no longer exists).
Xavi’s boys suffered an excruciating 3-0 defeat against Bayern Munich in the last group stage match in Munich, Germany and this defeat meant that the Spanish giants will not take part in the knockout stages of Champions League after 17 years. Barca have not been absent from the last-16 since 2003-04, when they could not manage to qualify for the competition at all.
Off-field issues
This exit sustains a deplorable campaign for the Catalan giants after financial issues literally forced them to let club legend Lionel Messi leave on a free transfer and join Paris St-Germain.
A tumultuous on-field start to the current season under previous manager Ronald Koeman failed to achieve anything significant. Former Barca midfielder Xavi became the new manager of the side in the middle of the season but could not help his side from crashing out of the Champions League.
The first leg of the Europa League is scheduled to take place on February 17 and the second leg will be held a week later.
Europa League last 16 fixtures:-
Sevilla vs Dinamo Zagreb
Atalanta vs Olympiacos
RB Leipzig vs Real Sociedad
Barcelona vs Napoli
FC Zenit vs Real Betis
Borussia Dortmund vs Rangers
FC Sheriff vs SC Braga
FC Porto vs Lazio
