Napoli and Barcelona drew 1-1 in their first leg last 16 Champions League tussle at ​Stadio San Paolo on Tuesday evening, with Dries Mertens’ goal making him the Italian side’s joint-leading goalscorer in their history.

La Blaugrana settled quickly and they saw plenty of the ball in the early stages, but there were no notable opportunities. In fact, the first chance fell to the hosts, Fabian Ruiz playing a sensational sweeping pass to send Jose Callejon through on goal. He looked up and attempted to play the ball across goal, but it was deflected into the hands of Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

With 29 minutes on the clock, Gli Azzurri moved into the lead through Mertens. As the ball came to him on the edge of the area, he took one touch and curled the ball beautifully into the top right corner of the goal. However, La Blaugrana hit back 12 minutes after half time, Antoine Griezmann firing in Nelson Semedo’s pass.

Callejon was set through on goal moments later, but he wasted the chance to restore his side’s lead. Despite both sides best efforts, there wasn’t to be a winner for either side, but Arturo Vidal was sent off in the final minutes for two bookable offences.

​Here’s 90min‘s review of the game…

NAPOLI

Key Talking Point

Gennaro Gattuso’s Napoli came into this clash having won six of their last seven matches in all competitions. During this run, they have overcome Juventus and Inter.

As a result, they will have come into this game in good spirits, but they were once again without star defender Kalidou Koulibaly. The hosts clearly had a game plan and it was visible almost immediately. They were compact and looked to force Barcelona into mistakes before breaking at speed on the counter-attack.

The plan was working as they restricted their opponents to zero shots on target in the first half, while they also looked menacing each time they went forward. After Barça found an equaliser, they began to open up and while this made them more vulnerable at the back, they did come close to grabbing a second on numerous occasions. In the end, it was a bright performance and they are certainly in the tie.

Napoli Player Ratings 

Starting XI: Ospina (6); Di Lorenzo (6), Manolas (6), Maksimović (6), Mário Rui (6); Callejón (7), Fabián Ruiz (8*), Demme (6), Zielinski (6); Mertens (7), Insigne (7)

Substitutes: Milik (6), Politano (6), Allan (6)

Fabian Ruiz

Mertens worked exceptionally hard for the team and it will be a memorable night for him as he drew level with Marek Hamsik as the club’s leading goalscorer, but it was Fabian Ruiz who was most impressive against Barça

The midfielder was instrumental, working tirelessly without the ball to press and force the Catalan giants into mistakes. And after winning the ball back, the Spaniard showed his quality in possession time and time again, picking out stunning passes to send his attackers through.

Fabian is an outstanding talent and aged just 23, he has a very bright career ahead of him.

BARCELONA

Key Talking Point

Barcelona returned to the top of La Liga on the weekend as they swept aside Eibar 5-0, with Lionel Messi netting four times. Immediately from the off against Napoli, they were allowed to see a lot of the ball, and to dictate the tempo of the game.

The hosts didn’t allow the Barça players to have any space to operate in though. The Catalan giants struggled to find a way through and although they saw as much as 71% of the ball in the first half, they only managed two shots in total – with neither being on target.

While the likes of Frenkie de Jong were making runs in behind in an attempt to make things happen, they were constantly forced into a mistake before being able to play a pass. As a result, Messi was often seen drifting out wide to allow himself the space to work in, but he didn’t receive the ball often enough.

The away side were improved in the second half and looked to get the ball into the box faster, but while they were able to find an equaliser, they still failed to really test David Ospina. Nonetheless, they will take an away goal back to Camp Nou. 

Barcelona Player Ratings

Starting XI: Ter Stegen (6); Semedo (6), Piqué (6), Umtiti (6), Firpo (5); Busquets (6), Rakitić (4), De Jong (5); Vidal (4); Messi (6), Griezmann (7*)

Substitutes: Arthur (6), Fati (N/A), Lenglet (N/A) 

Antoine Griezmann

Barcelona started the game rather sluggishly, with no player looking to really impose themselves on the game. Even the phenomenal talent that is Messi struggled to get into the game, but when they needed someone to step up, Griezmann was that player.

The Frenchman barely touched the ball up to that point, but when he was presented with an opportunity, he ruthlessly finished. It was a hugely important strike as it not only drew them level, but it also gave his side a valuable away goal. It was certainly not his best display, but he provided the necessary quality to get his team back into the game. 

Looking Ahead

Napoli return to league action on Saturday as they host Torino before taking on Inter in the second leg of their Coppa Italia semi final clash.

Barcelona, meanwhile, have the small matter of the Clasico on Sunday before taking on Real Sociedad.

​Liverpool came from behind to beat West Ham 3-2 in an enthralling game at Anfield in the Premier League on Monday night.

Sadio Mané’s effort ten minutes from time saw Jürgen Klopp’s troops over the line but the league leaders were forced to work hard for their record-equalling 18th league victory in a row.

The Reds were fast out the blocks and took the lead inside the opening 10 minutes. Trent Alexander Arnold provided the assist and Gini Wijnaldum stooped to head home. But West Ham hadn’t read the script and were soon back on level terms. ​Liverpool failed to deal with a corner and Issa Diop was on hand to head the visitors back level.

In a frantic start, Mo Salah cut in but his curling shot from inside the area was tipped over by Lukasz Fabianski, who also saved well from Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk.

However, the ​Hammers limited Liverpool to half-chances and with the Reds not at their penetrative best, the teams went in all square at the break.

Then the unthinkable happened; West Ham went in front, after substitute Pablo Fornals finished into the bottom corner from a Declan Rice cross.

But the joy was short-lived as Fabianski who’d hardly covered himself in glory for the opener, inexcusably let Salah’s shot squirm through his legs and into the net.

And as if on cue Alexander-Arnold was the provider yet again. He registered his 12th league assist of the season and put it on a plate for Mané to give Liverpool the win.

LIVERPOOL

Key Talking Point

They got away with a win here but only just.

It was very noticeable that the Reds missed their skipper against the Hammers. Jordan Henderson is clearly a big loss for the league leaders.

His energy and ability to drive the team forward was absent and at times Liverpool looked flat and somewhat laboured in midfield.

Henderson’s boots are big ones to step into and despite his best efforts, Naby Keita was unable to fully fill the void in Liverpool’s engine room.

There was a tenacity missing which defines the England midfielder’s game and the league leaders missed his authority.

The press for which Klopp’s men have become renowned was practically non-existent without the skipper.

On several occasions, the Reds failed to get close to the Hammers and the visitors enjoyed more success than most who have travelled to Anfield this season.

PLAYER RATINGS

Alisson (5), Alexander-Arnold (8*), Gomez (5), Van Dijk (6), Robertson (7), Fabinho (6), Wijnaldum (6), Keita (5), Mane (7), Salah (6), Firmino (5).

Subs: Oxlade-Chamberlain (7), Matip (N/A)

STAR MAN

Trent Alexander Arnold’s wand of a right foot was yet again on display at Anfield and the right back took less than 10 minutes to register his 11th assist of the season.

It appears that defenders still haven’t learnt that giving the young right back space is not a good idea.

His wicked early delivery was just begging to be put away and arriving late into the box, Wijnaldum duly obliged with a fine stooping header.

Time and time again, it was Alexander-Arnold who was the likeliest player to unlock the stubborn Irons defence during the first half.

First, he had an effort flash just wide of the post, then his free-kick was deflected inches wide before he whipped an inch-perfect cross into Van Dijk, only for Fabianski to tip it over.

In the second half, once Liverpool had fallen behind it was Alexander-Arnold who was the one player constantly providing an attacking outlet.

Whether it be dead-ball situations or marauding forward runs, the England international was a man on a mission.

So it was hardly surprising that it was he who provided the supply line for Mané to hit the winner.

WEST HAM

Key Talking Point

Away from the off the pitch drama surrounding West Ham supporters’ resentment directed towards owners David Sullivan and David Gold, there was a job to do on the pitch.

Fans were in need of a lift and their team gave as good account as any who have attempted to topple the red machine on their own patch this term.

During his managerial career, in 15 previous attempts, David Moyes had never overseen a victory at Anfield, that now rolls over to 16 but his side gave a very good showing here.

For the most part, West Ham’s deep defensive block – perhaps inspired by Atletico Madrid’s success – nullified Liverpool and restricted the Reds to long-range efforts.

The visitors did allow balls into the box from the wide areas but they defended them admirably and will take some confidence from their performance.

Had it not been for a very questionable moment or two from Fabianski in goal, then Moyes may have been coming away from Anfield with at least a point, if not three.

That said, the West ham manager will take heart from his side’s display and if they show the same levels of performance, they will steer clear of the relegation zone.

PLAYER RATINGS

Fabianski (6), Ngakia (8*), Diop (7), Ogbonna (7), Cresswell (7); Rice (7), Noble (7), Snodgrass (7), Soucek, Felipe Anderson (6); Antonio (6)

Fornals (7), Haller (6), Bowen (5)

STAR MAN – Jeremy Ngakia

Right back has been a problem position for the Hammers this season neither Ryan Fredericks nor Pablo Zabaleta able to nail down a regular starting berth.

But in 19-year old Ngakia, it appears that the Irons may have uncovered a gem and the latest in a seemingly endless list of young, talented English right backs.

He was not overawed by the occasion and stuck to his task of keeping tabs on Mané, many a man has tried and failed miserably.

But the teenager put in a commendable performance at Anfield, not only in defence but offensively too.

Ngakia was certainly not afraid to venture forward at every opportunity and he put in some inviting balls into the Liverpool box.

In the second half as the Reds went in search of an equaliser, the full back was required to fulfil his defensive duties, something he did extremely well.

Looking Ahead

Leaders Liverpool take their quest for the title to Watford for a Saturday tea-time Premier League clash, whilst the Hammers entertain Southampton in a relegation six-pointer on Saturday afternoon.