MADRID, Feb 16: Barcelona makes its first appearance in the second-tier Europa League after nearly two decades playing alongside the top European clubs in the knockout rounds of the Champions League.
The Catalan club hosts Napoli at Camp Nou Stadium in the first leg of one of eight playoffs for the last 16.
It is the first time since 2003-04 that Barcelona will not be in the knockout stage of the Champions League, a tournament it won five times. It failed to advance amid a financial crisis that resulted in the departure of Lionel Messi.
The last time it didn’t play in the Champions League, Barcelona was eliminated in the fourth round of the then-UEFA Cup in 2004.
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández said “obviously we are upset for not being able to play in the Champions League but this is still a very important European competition.”
Napoli is set to be without Matteo Politano, Hirving Lozano and Stanislav Lobotka because of injuries. (AP)
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