Barzagli: Two reasons Barcelona can hurt Napoli, but Inter ‘favourites’ against Atletico | OneFootball

Former Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli believes that Barcelona have the historical advantage over Napoli in the Champions League and that an absence for Atletico Madrid could benefit Inter in their Round of 16 meeting next week.

Barzagli said that Barca’s history of gaining unexpected results with young players, and their historic success in the competition will give them confidence heading into their game against Napoli at the Stadio Maradona next Wednesday.

Napoli, who find themselves in ninth in the Serie A table, may find it difficult against Barcelona due to their lack of consistent form this season, but Serie A and the Champions League are two very different competitions, Barzagli said.

“Aside from Xavi’s goodbye, Barca have had other problems this year. They have brought in a lot of young players, but have lost their defensive solidity from last season,” Barzagli explained in a recent interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“But the youth also know how to produce unexpected results, and the club’s history in the Champions League will have an impact. It will be a difficult obstacle for Napoli, who are not doing so well because they have not found consistency and are always switching between good and bad performances on the pitch.

“That’s the league though, the Champions League is a different story. One good game can change your season.”

Turning his focus onto the runaway Serie A leaders, Inter, Barzagli said that Atletico are a different team to the ones we have become accustomed to, but will still be a tough test, despite letting in more goals this season than in years gone by.

He also believes that the potential absence of his former teammate Alvaro Morata through injury will only benefit Inter heading into their game at San Siro next Tuesday.

“The Nerazzurri are going through a great spell, they have put great numbers up in Italy and have had massive confidence since last year. It’s a different Atletico to the one we are used to, they concede more these days, but they still have a lot of quality and look to play well.

“Morata and Griezmann are a great partnership up front, Alvaro’s possible absence will have an impact, though.

“The Metropolitano is an intense environment, but San Siro will be too. For me, Inter are the favourites.”