Barcelona vs Napoli XIs: Starting lineups, confirmed team news and injuries tonight

Barcelona have picked a trio youngsters for tonight’s crucial Champions League clash with Napoli.

Raphinha also starts having been taken off with a knock during the weekend’s win over Mallorca.

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But Marcos Alonso and Ferran Torres have narrowly missed out on a place in the matchday squad due to back and thigh issues, respectively.

They join Pedri (thigh), Frenkie de Jong (ankle), Gavi (knee) and Alejandro Balde (hamstring) on the sidelines in an injury crisis which has prompted Xavi to call up several youngsters from Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy in recent weeks.

Marc Guiu, 18, started up front last time out but he drops out for the rested Robert Lewandowski. Lamine Yamal, 16, Pau Cubarsi, 17, and Fermin Lopez, 20, are all in the starting XI.

Andreas Christensen has stepped into midfield to bulk up the numbers too, and continues in that role this evening.

For Napoli, Francesco Calzona has gone with Juan Jesus and Amir Rrahmani for the centre of his defence, as Leo Ostigard drops out. Mario Rui has also kept his place ahead of left-back Mathias Olivera.

Cyril Ngonge and Jens Cajuste are both back in the matchday squad after an injury worries.

Piotr Zielinski misses out having been controversially dropped from the Partenopei’s Champions League list in January, amid his agreement to join Inter Milan on a free transfer this summer.

Hamed Traore was on the bench for the weekend draw with Torino and returns to start against Barcelona, who hold home advantage tonight with the last-16 tie level at 1-1.

Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Cubarsi, Araujo, Cancelo; Gundogan, Christensen, Fermin; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Yamal

Subs: Martinez, Joao Felix, Romeu, Roque, Sergi Roberto, Astralaga, Casado, Unai, Guiu, Fort

Injuries: Marcos Alonso, Ferran Torres, Gavi, Balde Pedri, De Jong

Napoli XI: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Jesus, Rui; Anguissa, Lobotka, Traore; Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia

Subs: Contini, Ngonge, Raspadori, Lindstrom, Natan, Ostigard, Olivera, Mazzocchi, Cajuste, Simeone, Gollini

Ineligible: Zielinski

Time and date: 8pm GMT on Tuesday 12 March, 2024

Venue: Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys

TV channel and live stream: TNT Sports