5 reasons why Barcelona will defeat Napoli tonight | UEFA Champions League 2019-2020

Barcelona takes on Napoli tonight
Barcelona takes on Napoli tonight

#3 Quique Setien's machinations

Quique Setien needs to have a plan in place
Quique Setien needs to have a plan in place

Quique Setien has had plenty of time to prepare for this fixture and his tactical nous will be thoroughly tested in this fixture. The Barcelona manager was brought in to improve the side's style of play and his credentials will be put to the test tonight against Napoli.

The Cantabrian manager is yet to fully imprint his ideas on an experienced Barcelona team and tonight's game presents him with the perfect opportunity. Quique Setien has shown that he is prepared to tweak Barcelona's traditional 4-3-3 formations and his technical decisions will have to be perfect against the Italian outfit.

The Barcelona manager has conducted a few training sessions behind closed doors and may decide to implement a 3-5-2 formation in tonight's game. Barcelona's front three also experienced extraordinary success against Villarreal with a 4-3-1-2 formation earlier this season and Quique Setien's decisions are likely to heavily influence this fixture.


#2 Antoine Griezmann's X-factor

Antoine Griezmann is back for this game
Antoine Griezmann is back for this game

Antoine Griezmann has not had the best of seasons at Barcelona and has struggled to establish a potent relationship with the stars in the squad. The French striker has shown signs of improvement since the La Liga restart and has successfully recovered from an injury that has kept him out of action for nearly a month.

The French striker scored a crucial away goal at the Stadio San Paolo in the first leg and brings an element of unpredictability to a Barcelona side that has often been static and dull this season. Antoine Griezmann is world-class at his best and can be the key to Barcelona's success in the Champions League.

Antoine Griezmann has had plenty of time to build an understanding with Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi. The trio clicked into gear against Villarreal last month and Griezmann was the star of the show and scored an otherworldly chipped goal. Barcelona will need the French forward to be at his absolute best against Napoli.


#1 The GOAT

Lionel Messi is still unplayable at his best
Lionel Messi is still unplayable at his best

Irrespective of current form or opposition, Barcelona will likely never be an underdog till a certain Lionel Messi stays at the club. The Argentine genius can turn a match on its head singlehandedly and is literally unstoppable when he is in the mood.

Lionel Messi was rightfully furious with Barcelona's dismal La Liga campaign and defenders of the league will be more than happy to tell you that the Argentine is at his most dangerous when he is angry. The Barcelona captain has had his leadership credentials questioned this season and will want to prove a point in the Champions League.

Lionel Messi has not lost a Champions League game at the Camp Nou since 2009 and is his side's best player by a country mile. As is usually the norm, the Argentine maestro is instrumental to Barcelona's success and has to ensure that he is at his best if the Catalans are to win the Champions League trophy.


Also Read: Barcelona vs Napoli prediction, preview, team news and more | UEFA Champions League 2019-2020

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Edited by Aditya Hosangadi
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