Honours even in ‘Diego Derby’
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN earned Barcelona a draw from their first shot on target on a frustrating trip to Naples.
Napoli did their best to stifle Lionel Messi and Co and their tactics paid off as they took a first-half lead through a brilliant goal from Belgium forward Dries Mertens.
In a match dubbed the ‘Diego Maradona Derby’ after the Argentina legend who played for both clubs, Messi could not find rhythm to match his compatriot and hero.
And after an uneventful opening half hour, Napoli made a stunning impact by going in front.
Piotr Zielinski seized on poor defending from Junior Firpo and sent the ball across the edge of the Barca box for Mertens, who cut inside and unleashed an unstoppable shot into top right corner.
Mertens has now scored 121 goals for Napoli, level with the club’s all-time top scorer Marek Hamsik and six ahead of Maradona.
The goal came after one of only two shots on target in the first half – both by Napoli.
Barca were slow getting into the match but evenually drew level 12 minutes into the second half.
Sergio Busquets’ fine pass found Nelson Semedo, who crossed from the right for Griezmann to volley high past David Ospina and into the corner of the net, though it was a close call as he looked offside.
Messi was then booked for a late challenge on Napoli’s former Arsenal goalkeeper Ospina.
It was that kind of night for Messi and Barca, who then had Arturo Vidal sent off for a second yellow card in the 89th minute.
He will miss the second leg at the Nou Camp on March 18 along with Busquets, who was also booked.