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Image Source: IANS
Champions League: Former Champs Barcelona Take On Napoli In Vital Game (preview)
UEFA Champions League: Spanish giants and former winners FC Barcelona play arguably their most important game of the season when they entertain Napoli in the return leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 match in Barcelona on Tuesday night. Not only is the club's pride and image at stake after having failed to reach the knockout stage of the competition in the past two years, but its economic future is also on the line.
Barca's budget for the 2023-24 season depends on reaching the quarterfinals and given that further cutbacks in spending will come this summer, defeat to Napoli would be a serious blow to its future plans, reports Xinhua. The good news for Barca coach Xavi Hernandez and president Joan Laporta is that the team produced one of its best displays in recent weeks in Italy three weeks ago. The bad news is that Frenkie de Jong and Pedri will miss Tuesday's game through injury, robbing Xavi of balance and options to rotate his side.
Brazilian winger Raphinha began Friday's 1-0 win at home to Mallorca in midfield, only to limp off and be replaced by Fermin Lopez before halftime with an ankle problem.
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