Barcelona to Miss Two Forwards for Champions League Clash with Napoli

Barcelona Boss Xavi Hernandez Facing Forward Dilemma Ahead of Napoli Showdown in Champions League

Barcelona’s hopes of bolstering their squad for the upcoming Champions League clash against Napoli have hit a snag, with Xavi Hernandez now forced to rely on an experienced 35-year-old and a promising 16-year-old, along with the inclusion of Raphinha.

Both Ferran Torres and Joao Felix have been sidelined due to injuries, dealing a blow to Barcelona’s offensive options. According to reports from Diario AS, the chances of either player making a swift recovery for the Napoli fixture are diminishing rapidly.

Felix, nursing an ankle sprain, was initially considered more likely to return, but the possibility of a pain-relieving injection has been ruled out. Meanwhile, Torres’ hamstring tear has further complicated Barcelona’s selection headache. However, there remains a glimmer of hope for their potential availability for the subsequent clash against Getafe.

In terms of reinforcements, Xavi can expect Sergi Roberto and Oriol Romeu to return to the fold by the midweek clash. Although unlikely starters, their presence adds depth to Barcelona’s midfield, which boasts intense competition.

On the attacking front, Brazilian winger Raphinha is gradually recovering from his own hamstring issue and managed to feature against Granada over the weekend. Notably, he was deployed on the left flank, hinting at a possible role against Napoli. With Lamine Yamal posing a significant threat, Xavi faces a dilemma regarding the selection of either Raphinha or Yamal, or potentially opting for a more conservative midfield approach instead.