Piotr Zielinski opened the scoring for Napoli in the first half before Torres leveled the score from the penalty spot to make it all square going into the second leg in Naples.
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Barcelona striker Ferran Torres was on target as the hosts were held to a 1-1 draw by Napoli in the Europa League knockout tie first leg at Camp Nou on Thursday. The fixture was introduced by UEFA for the teams who finished third in their Champions League groups and in the Europa League, a two-legged play-off for access to the Round of 16. The away goal rule is no longer valid this season. Piotr Zielinski opened the scoring for Napoli in the first half before Torres leveled the score from the penalty spot to make it all square going into the second leg in Naples.
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Barcelona started the match brightly as Pedri’s effort from the edge of the box went just over the crossbar before Nico Gonzalez had his effort from the right side of the penalty area denied by Alex Meret at the near post.
Napoli came out with a clear gameplan to sit back and defend and hit the opposition on the counter, and Luciano Spalletti’s side did that to good effect. Zielinski played a brilliant through ball to release Victor Osimhen on goal but Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen stood firm to deny the Nigerian.
Few minutes later, Torres wasted a golden opportunity as he blasted over after a heavy touch. The Spanish international should have done better as he had the space, time and was in a good position to put the ball inside the net or atleast test the keeper. However, against the run of play, the visitors took the lead in the 29th minute.
Eljif Elmas combined with Zielinski to get inside the box before sending Jordi Alba into the ground with a dummy and cut the ball back for Zielinski, whose initial effort from 10-yards out was saved by Ter Stegn but the Polish footballer blasted the rebound into the roof of the net.
Torres once again missed from a promising position and the hosts had the bulk share of ball possession after the restart. Meanwhile the decisive moment was a Adama Traore cross that grazed the fingertips of Juan Jesus.
Nobody had complained at the time, but the referee was called back by VAR and awarded the penalty. Torres stepped up and calmly converted the spot-kick to make the score 1-1. The goal would have been a relief to the former Manchester City striker after missing several goosd chances.
The home side pushed hard for the winner as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s shot from the edge of the box went just over the bar. With Napoli running down the clock, happy with a draw, Xavi threw on Ousmane Dembele.
The Frenchman lit up the last few minutes of the game combining with fellow substitute Sergino Dest, he opened up Napoli defence. When the ball reached Pedri, he teed-up Torres but he leaned back and sent his effort over.
Luuk de Jong saw his acrobatic overhead kick whistle wide, while at the other end, Dries Mertens fired straight to Ter Stegen. Napoli have Serie A’s best defensive record and they stood firm against the hosts to clinch a crucial draw going into the second leg at Diego Armando Stadium.
