NAPOLI manager Walter Mazzarri has hinted that he would have wished to avoid Barcelona in the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League.
The Italian champions, and their Nigerian talisman Victor Osimhen, were pitted against the Spanish champions in today’s draw for the first knockout round of the continental competition.
Napoli, who started the season under Rudi Garcia before sacking the Frenchman and replacing with Mazzarri last month, finished second in Group C, eight points behind Real Madrid and six ahead of Sporting Braga.
On their part, Barcelona won their group despite a humiliating defeat at Royal Antwerp in the final matchday.
Napoli have struggled this season in stark contrast to their title success last term, but they have secured some positive results under Mazzarri, with Osimhen returning to full fitness and scoring.
“I said after the match against Cagliari that all the teams who’ve qualified for the Round of 16 are strong and therefore any draw would be difficult, this one against Barcelona is especially difficult,” Mazzarri told Napoli’s media department.
“For Napoli it’ll be a fascinating challenge.”
Mazzarri has taken charge of six Napoli matches so far this season, securing victories over Cagliari, Sporting Braga and Atalanta but losing to Juventus, Inter and Real Madrid.
Barcelona are also going through a difficult spell this season, sitting seven points behind league leaders Real Madrid in LaLiga.
Xavi’s side topped a Champions League group containing FC Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk and Royal Antwerp.
