Sports

Osimhen strike denies wasteful Barca win at Naples

Sports Desk, Feb 22 (EFE).- Victor Osimhen scored from Napoli’s only shot on target as the Italian champions held Barcelona 1-1 in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 tie at Naples on Wednesday.

Barcelona will feel hard done in a game that they dominated and took a deserving lead through Robert Lewandowski, who scored his 93rd Champions League goal on the hour-mark to put the visitors ahead.

But Napoli punished Barcelona with one of their few attempts at the Diego Maradona Stadium, equalizing in the 75th minute to leave everything to play for in the return leg at Barcelona on Mar. 12.

“My analysis is that I’m a bit sad. We should have won this game,” said Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez.

“We were forgiving in attack and we virtually only gave them one chance. We defended well, we were united. We deserved more I think, but this is the UEFA Champions League.

“We were not effective after we took the lead. We lost our composure to keep playing in their half and pressing high. After the goal, Napoli woke up and we allowed them to make it 1-1,” he said.

Barcelona had the chance to take an early lead through Lamine Yamal, who, at 16 years and 223 days, became the youngest-ever player to feature in a Champions League knockout stage match.

Alex Meret prevented Yamal from becoming the youngest-ever scorer at this phase of the competition by parrying his strike away.

It set the tone for an early period of the game in which Meret’s reflexes were also tested by Lewandowski and Ilkay Gundoğan.

Pedri set up the goal for Lewandowski in the second half as the Pole sent the ball past Meret with a low shot from a tight position inside the box.

Napoli’s reaction after going a goal down posed little danger for Barcelona until Osimhen took full advantage of the defensive lapse by Inigo Martinez.

Martinez fell to the ground during a tussle on the edge of the box, leaving the Nigerian free to strike.

Despite the satisfactory draw, Napoli coach Francesco Calzona admitted that their job was only half done.

“We have a lot to work on still, but I congratulated the players on this performance. We fought, we had a good second half and a great final 15 minutes. I liked the spirit a lot,” he said.

Gundogan had the chance to make things tougher for Napoli in the return leg, but he failed to convert a fine chance with practically the last kick of the game, leaving the tie 1-1. EFE

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