Barcelona

Barcelona fought back to draw the first leg of their Europa League knockout play-off 1-1 with Napoli at the Camp Nou.The hosts looked the livelier of the ...

they won't commit too many bodies forward for counter-attacks which could frustrate Barca as they haven't really been able to carve Napoli open as yet.Koulibaly also defending like a man possessed isn't helping Barca's cause.29' - Moments after Torres spoons a good chance over, Napoli score at the other end!Elmas drives with the ball down the right wing, cuts back onto his left foot, plays a pass to Zielinski whose shot was saved by ter Stegen but the keeper couldn't keep out his rebound.The visitors lead against the run of play!22' - Both teams settling into this game with Barcelona enjoying most of the ball but Napoli create their first chance on the break.Zielinski slips Osimhen through down the left touchline but the striker's finish was saved by ter Stegen.Barcelona counter from the resulting corner with Adama, who you don't want to see sprinting towards your goal, tackled by Koulibaly and Aubameyang's follow-up saved.Linesman flagged for offside but Barcelona should've done better there. Barcelona vs Napoli live score and result updates: Europa League latest as Torres' goal equals out Zielinski's openerBarcelona fought back to draw the first leg of their Europa League knockout play-off 1-1 with Napoli at the Camp Nou. The hosts looked the livelier of the two sides in the opening minutes with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ferran Torres and Pedri all registering shots early on.But Napoli took the lead just before the half-hour mark through a well-taken Piotr Zielinski goal moments after Torres spurned a golden chance.Barcelona struggled to find a way back into the game until VAR awarded them a penalty in 58th minute which Torres coolly dispatched to level the score.Timely substitutions from Barca coach Xavi turned the tide in their favour but they could not make it count despite a late onslaught.The tie is now poised with the second leg to be played on Thursday, 24th February at the Stadio San Paolo.Osimhen’s flying and Spalletti feels at home in the city of miracles. 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Do Not Sell My Personal Info Can Napoli keep it up?That's all from us!Thank you for joining me on tonight's live blog.Be sure to head over to the site for more!A game which looked like Napoli's for the taking was snatched by Barcelona and the visitors were lucky to come away with a draw.Dubious penalty aside, Napoli will argue they deserved the win but the second leg is poised in their favour at the San Paulo next Thursday.90+2' - de Jong cuts the ball back to Torres in the box to clinch the winner and his shot balloons high and wide again!When it's not a dead ball from 12 yards out, the former Manchester City forward just hasn't looked convincing.90' - Dembele threads a pass down the right wing to Dest who floats a cross into the box and time almost stood still as de Jong shaped an acrobatic effort just wide of the post.Napoli goalkeeper Meret has just been booked for timewasting after delaying the resulting goal-kick, if you wanted to know how the visitors are coping with this pressure.88' - Dembele drives inside with the ball and commits a handful of Napoli defenders.Eventually the ball falls to Torres but he can't find the target from close range.Moments later, Dembele has the Napoli defenders on skates again and fires a low cross across the six-yard box but no-one can make contact.Napoli are on the ropes here.More changes for Napoli84' - Full-backs Malcuit and Rui on for Elmas and Anguissa.The visitors look like their planning a smash and grab...Changes for both sides80' - Off comes Osimhen and Zielinski for Dries Mertens and Diego Demme73' - Off comes Insigne for Ounas. Toronto-bound star was quiet tonight.Barcelona in the ascendancy now71' - Napoli haven't looked as solid in defence or dangerous in attack after Barca's equaliser.Those substitutions seem to have won the midfield battle for the hosts and the visitors are struggling to keep the ball.This is slowly turning into Barca's game to lose.65' - On come Dembele, Busquets and Gavi for Nico, Adama and de Jong.Slight boos in the crowd for Dembele whenever he touches the ball.59' - Torres coolly dispatches the spot-kick after a tricky start to the game.Penalty looked harsh on Jesus but Barca are level and now have the wind in their sails.58' - VAR awards Barca a way back into this game via a penalty after the ball was judged to brush Jesus' arm from Adama's cross.52' - Again Barca are enjoying the lion share of possession but they still can't make it count on the scoreline.Every attack they try and create looks so toilsome and whenever the ball is worked into the box, a Napoli defender is always on hand to clear.If Barca continue to be this toothless, Napoli should be able to withstand their pressure.Can Barca find a way back into this?Follow it all here!In an attempt to thwart Adama's electric movement, Spalletti has tasked centre-back Juan Jesus to play keep the winger quiet, with the help of Insigne.Jesus has only played at left-back on four occasions this season with 13 appearances coming in the centre of defence.He hasn't ventured forward as a left-back might and instead makes a back three with Koulibaly and Rrahmani when Di Lorenzo gets up the pitch.Adama will look to test him for the remaining 45.Barcelona have had more of the ball and more shots but it's Napoli who go into the break a goal up.The hosts have become increasingly frustrated in their play, losing the ball cheaply and spurning presentable chances to score while Napoli have been efficient.Adama seems the most dangerous Barca player but he has not seen as much of the ball as he might have liked.Game is still there for Barca to win but Napoli will make them work for it.Napoli will be harder to break down now33' - Barcelona had the majority of the ball before Napoli's goal and will have much more of it now they're behind.With the visitors already in front.