LATEST NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD Latest World news news, comment and analysis from the Guardian, the world's leading liberal voice SAN FRANCISCO MAY BE FIRST MAJOR US CITY TO HIT HERD San Francisco may have become the first major American city to hit herd immunity to the coronavirus, experts say. San Francisco is still recording a small number of coronavirus cases, about 13.7 US GOVERNMENT REPORT FINDS NO EVIDENCE UFOS WERE ALIEN Officials cannot explain strange movements in skies that baffle the US military and scientific establishment, New York Times reports Last

modified on Sat 5

CROSSWORDS | ONLINE AND FREE | THE GUARDIAN Free crosswords that can be completed online by mobile, tablet and desktop, and are printable. Daily easy, quick and cryptic crosswords

puzzles.

OBSERVER KILLER SUDOKU Observer killer sudoku. Sat 5 Jun 2021 19.01 EDT. Last modified on Sat 5 Jun 2021 19.02 EDT. Click here to access the print version. Normal Sudoku rules apply, except the numbers in the cells MANCHESTER | UK NEWS | THE GUARDIAN Top music school in Manchester ordered to pay £45,000 in damages to former student. Published: 27 May 2021. Chetham’s School of Music ‘facilitated’ sexual abuse of pupil, says judge. JOHN CRACE | THE GUARDIAN John Crace. John Crace is the Guardian's parliamentary sketch writer and author of I, Maybot: The Rise and Fall. April 2021.

MARINA HYDE

The alleged Dominic Cummings leaks may just be a distraction from the bigger issue: we’re led by a man with no self-discipline and a very busy phone, says Guardian columnist Marina Hyde COULD THIS BE THE IDEA THAT SECURES PEACE FOR ISRAELIS AND The case for an Israeli and Palestinian confederation, from the co-founder of the A Land for All movement Last modified on Fri 21 May 2021 10.00 EDT “Peace for peace.” That’s how Benjamin GRETE HARRIS OBITUARY Last modified on Mon 24 May 2021 11.47 EDT My grandmother, Grete Harris, who has died aged 103, lived a life of caring, activism and generous hospitality, underpinned by LATEST NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD Latest World news news, comment and analysis from the Guardian, the world's leading liberal voice SAN FRANCISCO MAY BE FIRST MAJOR US CITY TO HIT HERD San Francisco may have become the first major American city to hit herd immunity to the coronavirus, experts say. San Francisco is still recording a small number of coronavirus cases, about 13.7 US GOVERNMENT REPORT FINDS NO EVIDENCE UFOS WERE ALIEN Officials cannot explain strange movements in skies that baffle the US military and scientific establishment, New York Times reports Last

modified on Sat 5

CROSSWORDS | ONLINE AND FREE | THE GUARDIAN Free crosswords that can be completed online by mobile, tablet and desktop, and are printable. Daily easy, quick and cryptic crosswords

puzzles.

OBSERVER KILLER SUDOKU Observer killer sudoku. Sat 5 Jun 2021 19.01 EDT. Last modified on Sat 5 Jun 2021 19.02 EDT. Click here to access the print version. Normal Sudoku rules apply, except the numbers in the cells MANCHESTER | UK NEWS | THE GUARDIAN Top music school in Manchester ordered to pay £45,000 in damages to former student. Published: 27 May 2021. Chetham’s School of Music ‘facilitated’ sexual abuse of pupil, says judge. JOHN CRACE | THE GUARDIAN John Crace. John Crace is the Guardian's parliamentary sketch writer and author of I, Maybot: The Rise and Fall. April 2021.

MARINA HYDE

The alleged Dominic Cummings leaks may just be a distraction from the bigger issue: we’re led by a man with no self-discipline and a very busy phone, says Guardian columnist Marina Hyde COULD THIS BE THE IDEA THAT SECURES PEACE FOR ISRAELIS AND The case for an Israeli and Palestinian confederation, from the co-founder of the A Land for All movement Last modified on Fri 21 May 2021 10.00 EDT “Peace for peace.” That’s how Benjamin GRETE HARRIS OBITUARY Last modified on Mon 24 May 2021 11.47 EDT My grandmother, Grete Harris, who has died aged 103, lived a life of caring, activism and generous hospitality, underpinned by

MAIN SECTION

The week English football fans bit back against the billionaire owners. In just two days the Super League, dream of 12 of Europe’s richest clubs, lay in ruins after supporters of the six Premier SOCCER NEWS, MATCH REPORTS AND FIXTURES Football news, results, fixtures, blogs, podcasts and comment on the Premier League, European and World football from the Guardian, the world's leading liberal voice MANCHESTER | UK NEWS | THE GUARDIAN Top music school in Manchester ordered to pay £45,000 in damages to former student. Published: 27 May 2021. Chetham’s School of Music ‘facilitated’ sexual abuse of pupil, says judge.

DONALD TRUMP

Donald Trump. The latest news, opinion and analysis on Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States. April 2021.

MARINA HYDE

The alleged Dominic Cummings leaks may just be a distraction from the bigger issue: we’re led by a man with no self-discipline and a very busy phone, says Guardian columnist Marina Hyde QUICK | CROSSWORDS | THE GUARDIAN A quick crossword is published every weekday in G2 and on Saturdays in Review, both parts of the Guardian SUDOKU | LIFEANDSTYLE | THE GUARDIAN Sudoku 5,242 easy. Fill the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9. Published: 7:00 PM. Sudoku 5,242 easy. 22 May 2021. CALIFORNIA FACES ANOTHER DROUGHT AS LAKE BEDS TURN TO DUST Water shortages and dry conditions are already affecting the state as the governor has declared an emergency in 41 of 58 counties Last

modified

CALIFORNIA LAUNCHES LARGEST US COVID VACCINE LOTTERY YET Residents will be eligible for $116.5m in prize money giveaways as the state tries to get millions more vaccinated before reopening Last

modified on Fri

NIGEL SLATER’S RECIPE FOR LENTIL AND BULGUR WHEAT CAKES Remove from the heat, cover with a lid and set aside. Finely chop 15g of parsley, 10g of coriander leaves and stems and 6 leaves of mint and stir into the lentils and bulgur wheat. Make the LATEST NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD A proposal to mine 60% of Wagina for bauxite was met with outrage by locals and became a landmark case in Solomon Islands Pollution an high sea temperatures stemming from the climate emergency US GOVERNMENT REPORT FINDS NO EVIDENCE UFOS WERE ALIEN Officials cannot explain strange movements in skies that baffle the US military and scientific establishment, New York Times reports Last

modified on Sat 5

OBSERVER KILLER SUDOKU Observer killer sudoku. Sat 5 Jun 2021 19.01 EDT. Last modified on Sat 5 Jun 2021 19.02 EDT. Click here to access the print version. Normal Sudoku rules apply, except the numbers in the cells CROSSWORDS | ONLINE AND FREE | THE GUARDIAN Free crosswords that can be completed online by mobile, tablet and desktop, and are printable. Daily easy, quick and cryptic crosswords

puzzles.

MANCHESTER | UK NEWS | THE GUARDIAN Top music school in Manchester ordered to pay £45,000 in damages to former student. Published: 27 May 2021. Chetham’s School of Music ‘facilitated’ sexual abuse of pupil, says judge. TV TONIGHT: SHOW TIME WITH GARY BARLOW AND PALS The Take That frontman brings together a band for a variety show starring Jamie Cullum, Mica Paris and other starry friends. Plus, Unreported World. Here’s what to watch this evening QUICK CROSSWORD NO 15,937 Quick crossword No 15,937. Time on your hands? Stay connected and keep in touch with your friends with our new Puzzles mobile app. You can JOHN CRACE | THE GUARDIAN John Crace. John Crace is the Guardian's parliamentary sketch writer and author of I, Maybot: The Rise and Fall. April 2021. POLICE MAKE SIX ARRESTS AFTER 14-YEAR-OLD BOY STABBED TO Photograph: Jacob King/PA. Police in Birmingham hunting for a group of men who chased then stabbed a 14-year-old black child to death have

made six

GRETE HARRIS OBITUARY Last modified on Mon 24 May 2021 11.47 EDT My grandmother, Grete Harris, who has died aged 103, lived a life of caring, activism and generous hospitality, underpinned by LATEST NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD A proposal to mine 60% of Wagina for bauxite was met with outrage by locals and became a landmark case in Solomon Islands Pollution an high sea temperatures stemming from the climate emergency US GOVERNMENT REPORT FINDS NO EVIDENCE UFOS WERE ALIEN Officials cannot explain strange movements in skies that baffle the US military and scientific establishment, New York Times reports Last

modified on Sat 5

OBSERVER KILLER SUDOKU Observer killer sudoku. Sat 5 Jun 2021 19.01 EDT. Last modified on Sat 5 Jun 2021 19.02 EDT. Click here to access the print version. Normal Sudoku rules apply, except the numbers in the cells CROSSWORDS | ONLINE AND FREE | THE GUARDIAN Free crosswords that can be completed online by mobile, tablet and desktop, and are printable. Daily easy, quick and cryptic crosswords

puzzles.

MANCHESTER | UK NEWS | THE GUARDIAN Top music school in Manchester ordered to pay £45,000 in damages to former student. Published: 27 May 2021. Chetham’s School of Music ‘facilitated’ sexual abuse of pupil, says judge. TV TONIGHT: SHOW TIME WITH GARY BARLOW AND PALS The Take That frontman brings together a band for a variety show starring Jamie Cullum, Mica Paris and other starry friends. Plus, Unreported World. Here’s what to watch this evening QUICK CROSSWORD NO 15,937 Quick crossword No 15,937. Time on your hands? Stay connected and keep in touch with your friends with our new Puzzles mobile app. You can JOHN CRACE | THE GUARDIAN John Crace. John Crace is the Guardian's parliamentary sketch writer and author of I, Maybot: The Rise and Fall. April 2021. POLICE MAKE SIX ARRESTS AFTER 14-YEAR-OLD BOY STABBED TO Photograph: Jacob King/PA. Police in Birmingham hunting for a group of men who chased then stabbed a 14-year-old black child to death have

made six

GRETE HARRIS OBITUARY Last modified on Mon 24 May 2021 11.47 EDT My grandmother, Grete Harris, who has died aged 103, lived a life of caring, activism and generous hospitality, underpinned by

MAIN SECTION

The week English football fans bit back against the billionaire owners. In just two days the Super League, dream of 12 of Europe’s richest clubs, lay in ruins after supporters of the six Premier MANCHESTER | UK NEWS | THE GUARDIAN Top music school in Manchester ordered to pay £45,000 in damages to former student. Published: 27 May 2021. Chetham’s School of Music ‘facilitated’ sexual abuse of pupil, says judge.

DONALD TRUMP

Donald Trump. The latest news, opinion and analysis on Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States. April 2021. NAOMI WOLF BANNED FROM TWITTER FOR SPREADING VACCINE MYTHS Many social media users applaud termination of author’s account, but some have said move is a blow to freedom of speech Last modified on

Sat 5

QUICK | CROSSWORDS | THE GUARDIAN A quick crossword is published every weekday in G2 and on Saturdays in Review, both parts of the Guardian CALIFORNIA FACES ANOTHER DROUGHT AS LAKE BEDS TURN TO DUST Water shortages and dry conditions are already affecting the state as the governor has declared an emergency in 41 of 58 counties Last

modified

CRYPTIC | CROSSWORDS | THE GUARDIAN A cryptic crossword is published every weekday in the Guardian OUTRAGE AS REGULATORS LET PESTICIDES FROM FACTORY POLLUTE Contamination from an ethanol plant in Mead, Nebraska, came from some of the world’s largest agricultural companies Last modified on Sat 29 May 2021 06.01 EDT For REAL WATER, A PREMIUM BOTTLED WATER, RECALLED AMID DEATH Federal authorities have ordered a complete recall of the Las Vegas-based bottled water brand Real Water and ordered the company to

surrender

NIGEL SLATER’S RECIPE FOR LENTIL AND BULGUR WHEAT CAKES Remove from the heat, cover with a lid and set aside. Finely chop 15g of parsley, 10g of coriander leaves and stems and 6 leaves of mint and stir into the lentils and bulgur wheat. Make the LATEST NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD Latest World news news, comment and analysis from the Guardian, the world's leading liberal voice US NEWS FROM THE GUARDIAN Governors have tried lotteries, free beer, tickets to theme parks and gift cards, as Biden tries to reach 70% vaccination goal by Fourth of July LA Lakers, the defending NBA champions, are out of OBSERVER | THE GUARDIAN Latest Observer news, comment and analysis from the Guardian, the world's leading liberal voice QUICK CROSSWORD NO 15,930 Quick crossword No 15,930. Print | Accessible version. Thu 27 May 2021 19.00 EDT. Time on your hands? Stay connected and keep in touch with MANCHESTER | UK NEWS | THE GUARDIAN Top music school in Manchester ordered to pay £45,000 in damages to former student. Published: 27 May 2021. Chetham’s School of Music ‘facilitated’ sexual abuse of pupil, says judge. QUICK | CROSSWORDS | THE GUARDIAN A quick crossword is published every weekday in G2 and on Saturdays in Review, both parts of the Guardian SUDOKU | LIFEANDSTYLE | THE GUARDIAN Sudoku 5,242 easy. Fill the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9. Published: 7:00 PM. Sudoku 5,242 easy. 22 May 2021. CROSSWORDS | ONLINE AND FREE | THE GUARDIAN Free crosswords that can be completed online by mobile, tablet and desktop, and are printable. Daily easy, quick and cryptic crosswords

puzzles.

JOHN CRACE | THE GUARDIAN John Crace. John Crace is the Guardian's parliamentary sketch writer and author of I, Maybot: The Rise and Fall. April 2021. CRYPTIC | CROSSWORDS | THE GUARDIAN A cryptic crossword is published every weekday in the Guardian LATEST NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD Latest World news news, comment and analysis from the Guardian, the world's leading liberal voice US NEWS FROM THE GUARDIAN Governors have tried lotteries, free beer, tickets to theme parks and gift cards, as Biden tries to reach 70% vaccination goal by Fourth of July LA Lakers, the defending NBA champions, are out of OBSERVER | THE GUARDIAN Latest Observer news, comment and analysis from the Guardian, the world's leading liberal voice QUICK CROSSWORD NO 15,930 Quick crossword No 15,930. Print | Accessible version. Thu 27 May 2021 19.00 EDT. Time on your hands? Stay connected and keep in touch with MANCHESTER | UK NEWS | THE GUARDIAN Top music school in Manchester ordered to pay £45,000 in damages to former student. Published: 27 May 2021. Chetham’s School of Music ‘facilitated’ sexual abuse of pupil, says judge. QUICK | CROSSWORDS | THE GUARDIAN A quick crossword is published every weekday in G2 and on Saturdays in Review, both parts of the Guardian SUDOKU | LIFEANDSTYLE | THE GUARDIAN Sudoku 5,242 easy. Fill the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9. Published: 7:00 PM. Sudoku 5,242 easy. 22 May 2021. CROSSWORDS | ONLINE AND FREE | THE GUARDIAN Free crosswords that can be completed online by mobile, tablet and desktop, and are printable. Daily easy, quick and cryptic crosswords

puzzles.

JOHN CRACE | THE GUARDIAN John Crace. John Crace is the Guardian's parliamentary sketch writer and author of I, Maybot: The Rise and Fall. April 2021. CRYPTIC | CROSSWORDS | THE GUARDIAN A cryptic crossword is published every weekday in the Guardian US NEWS FROM THE GUARDIAN Governors have tried lotteries, free beer, tickets to theme parks and gift cards, as Biden tries to reach 70% vaccination goal by Fourth of July LA Lakers, the defending NBA champions, are out of

US POLITICS

Latest US politics news, comment and analysis from the Guardian, the world's leading liberal voice PODCASTS | THE GUARDIAN Hosted by Anushka Asthana, Today in Focus brings you closer to Guardian journalism. Combining personal storytelling with insightful analysis, Today in Focus is The Guardian's daily podcast that

THE LONG READ

The long read: During the second world war, Chinese merchant seamen helped keep Britain fed, fuelled and safe – and many gave their lives doing so.But from late 1945, hundreds of them who had LATE-NIGHT TV ROUNDUP The Last Week Tonight host calls for action in response to the police killings of Daunte Wright and Adam Toledo, and investigates personal bankruptcy reform. Published: 19 Apr 2021. John Oliver to BILL COSBY PAROLE PETITION DENIED AFTER HE REFUSES THERAPY Last modified on Fri 28 May 2021 12.14 EDT The Pennsylvania parole board has turned down comedian Bill Cosby’s petition to be released

from

MARINA HYDE

The alleged Dominic Cummings leaks may just be a distraction from the bigger issue: we’re led by a man with no self-discipline and a very busy phone, says Guardian columnist Marina Hyde

TIM DOWLING

Tim Dowling. Tim Dowling is a regular Guardian contributor. April 2021. Tim Dowling's Weekend column Tim Dowling: everyone’s life is

moving on.

EVERYMAN | CROSSWORDS | THE GUARDIAN We regret that prizes for this puzzle are temporarily suspended. SPEEDY | CROSSWORDS | THE GUARDIAN � 2021 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All

rights reserved.

__close

__next

__prev

__info-button

Skip to main content

Advertisement

The Guardian - Back to home Support The Guardian Available for everyone, funded by readers Contribute

Subscribe

Contribute

Search jobs

Sign in

My account

* Comments & replies

* Public profile

* Account details

* Emails & marketing -------------------------

* Membership

* Contributions

* Subscriptions

-------------------------

* Sign out

Search

current edition: US edition * switch to the US edition * switch to the UK edition * switch to the Australia edition * switch to the International edition

* News

* Opinion

* Sport

* Culture

* Lifestyle

Show More __

* __ News

* US news

* Elections 2020

* World news

* Environment

* Soccer

* US politics

* Business

* Tech

* Science

* __ Opinion

* The Guardian view

* Columnists

* Letters

* Opinion videos

* Cartoons

* __ Sport

* Soccer

* NFL

* Tennis

* MLB

* MLS

* NBA

* NHL

* __ Culture

* Film

* Books

* Music

* Art & design

* TV & radio

* Stage

* Classical

* Games

* __ Lifestyle

* Fashion

* Food

* Recipes

* Love & sex

* Home & garden

* Health & fitness

* Family

* Travel

* Money

What term do you want to search? __ Search with google * Make a contribution

* Subscribe

* __ US edition

* switch to the UK edition * switch to the Australia edition * switch to the International edition

* Search jobs

* Digital Archive

* Coupons

* The Guardian app

* Video

* Podcasts

* Pictures

* Newsletters

* Inside the Guardian

* Guardian Weekly

* Crosswords

* Facebook

* Twitter

* Search jobs

* Digital Archive

* Coupons

* Soccer

* Live scores

* Tables

* Fixtures

* Results

* Competitions

* Clubs

More

NAPOLI 1 - 1 BARCELONA

NAPOLI

* Home team scorers Dries Mertens 30

BARCELONA

* Away team scorers Antoine Griezmann 57

* Report

* Min-by-min

* Stats

Champions League

GRIEZMANN RESCUES BARCELONA AFTER MERTENS LEVELS NAPOLI SCORING

RECORD

PA Media

Tue 25 Feb 2020 17.26 EST Last modified on Tue 25 Feb 2020

19.40 EST

* Share on Facebook

* Share on Twitter

* Share via Email

Shares

6

6

COMMENTS

224

Antoine

Griezmann celebrates his equaliser in Naples. Photograph: Tullio Puglia - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images Antoine Griezmann’s equaliser cancelled out a fine opener from Napoli’s Dries Mertens to give Barcelona a 1-1 draw and the upper hand in their Champions League

last-16 tie.

Mertens had made the most of the Italian club’s solid start to curl home an effort after 30 minutes. However, after the midfielder was forced off with injury following a heavy challenge from Sergio

Busquets, Barcelona

drew level when Griezmann lashed the ball in from close range. BAYERN MUNICH AND GNABRY DRIVE CHELSEA TOWARDS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE EXIT

Read more

Barça finished with 10 men after Arturo Vidal was shown two quick yellow cards for a tackle on Mário Rui and then pushing his head into the face of the Napoli man during the closing stages. “It’s a positive result for us overall,” said the Barcelona coach, Quique Setien. “We controlled most of the game, but we lacked something in the final third against such an organised defence by

Napoli.

“After the equaliser, they opened up a little and we were able to hurt them more. They played very well and it was not easy, so a score draw is fine going into the second leg.” Lionel Messi, who scored four goals in the 5-0 win over Eibar which put Barcelona top of LaLiga, sent an early chance over before Napoli made a breakaway count as Mertens swept them in front. Piot Zielinski won possession from Junior Firpo and charged down the right before cutting the ball across the edge of the Barcelona area, Mertens took a touch before curling a wonderful finish over a static Marc André ter Stegen and into the top corner – a goal which made the Belgian Napoli’s joint record scorer, level on 121 goals with Marek Hamsik.

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Arturo Vidal reacts after referee Felix Brych showed him a second yellow card. Photograph: Filippo Monteforte/AFP via Getty Images Barcelona looked for a swift response before half-time but failed to stretch the home defence or test the goalkeeper David Ospina. The Partenopei could have been further ahead after 42 minutes when a free-kick was only partial cleared, Fabian Ruiz fed Jose Callejon and his cross was fired just wide by centre-back Kostas Manolas. They came out with more intensity at the start of the second half, too. Busquets caught Mertens with a high tackle which led to a yellow card and the Belgian eventually hobbled off, to be replaced by Arkadiusz Milik in the 54th minute. Napoli continued to be pushed back by Barcelona’s press and Griezmann equalised after 57 minutes. Nélson Semedo beat the offside trap from Busquets’ pass when he darted into the right side of the area and crossed for the French World Cup winner to smash the ball in

from close range.

Napoli, who finished second in Group E behind Liverpool, soon threatened again. Their captain, Lorenzo Insigne, weaved his way into the left of the Barça area and forced Ter Stegen into a low save. The German was alert again to come off his line and block from Callejon. At the other end Messi looked to get on the end of an exchange with Vidal and collided with Ospina as the Napoli keeper made a brave save, which saw both players need treatment. THE FIVER: THE GUARDIAN'S TAKE ON THE WORLD OF FOOTBALL

Read more

Samuel Umtiti headed over a corner from Messi before Vidal saw red, meaning he will be suspended for the return at the Camp Nou next month. The Barça defender Gerard Piqué also limped off during stoppage time with what looked like an ankle problem. Napoli’s coach Gennaro Gattuso felt his side had missed an opportunity to give themselves more of a foothold in the tie. “Barcelona struggled because we were very careful. We did well as a team to play together like this,” he said. “I am disappointed because we made one mistake and they made the most of it. We suffered tonight, tactically we were almost perfect, but we could have done better and been more clinical.”

MATCH STATS

POSSESSION

BAR

NAP

50

50

BAR50NAP50%

GOAL ATTEMPTS

3

* Napoli Off target 6

* Barcelona 4

* Napoli On target 2

* Barcelona

* Corners 2

1

* Fouls 7

11

LINEUPS

NAPOLI

* 25 Ospina

* 22 Di Lorenzo

* 44 Manolas

* 19 Maksimovic

* 6 Rui __

* 4 Demme

* 7 Callejon

* 8 Fabian

* 20 Zielinski

* 24 Insigne __

* 14 Mertens

SUBSTITUTES

* 1 Meret

* 5 Allan (s 80')

* 12 Elmas

* 13 Luperto

* 21 Politano (s 74')

* 23 Hysaj

* 99 Milik (s 54')

BARCELONA

* 1 ter Stegen

* 2 Nelson Semedo

* 3 Pique

* 23 Umtiti

* 24 Firpo

* 4 Rakitic

* 5 Busquets __

* 21 de Jong

* 22 Vidal __ __

* 10 Messi __

* 17 Griezmann __

SUBSTITUTES

* 8 Arthur (s 56')

* 13 Neto

* 15 Lenglet (s 90')

* 28 Puig

* 31 Fati (s 87')

* 33 Araujo

* 39 Akieme

Topics

* Champions League

* Napoli

* European club football

* Barcelona

* match reports

* Share on Facebook

* Share on Twitter

* Share via Email

* Share on LinkedIn

* Share on Pinterest

* Share on WhatsApp

* Share on Messenger * Reuse this content

Advertisement

VIEW ALL COMMENTS >

COMMENTS (224)

Sign in

or create your Guardian account to join the discussion.

Order by newest

* newest

* oldest

* recommendations

Show 25

* 25

* 50

* 100

* All

Threads collapsed

* collapsed

* expanded

* unthreaded

1 2 3

Loading comments… Trouble loading?

*

alan101

2d ago

0 1

Messi without Suarez is just amiss, or a mess or a fraction of

himself, a meh

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

Official_dybala_fan

alan101

2d ago

0 1

Your point is?

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

MarcCalifornia

2d ago

2 3

Playing ultra defensively in the home leg of CL doesn't show a lot of ambition. Anyone criticizing Barca style after seeing that display just isn't dealing with the reality of a team simply trying to hold the score down to something reachable in the return leg if something freakish happens. The fact is that match sucked to watch but it certainly wasn't Barca's fault.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter | Pick

Report

*

partenopei

MarcCalifornia

2d ago

4 5

Playing like that shows Napoli have ambition to try to win the tie. If we played an open game we would have been destroyed. We are not near as good as Barcelona.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

DeutschWilly

MarcCalifornia

2d ago

3 4

Indeed, to have a nice match you need two teams. It is funny how people tend to blame Barca for the lack of spectacle in some matches

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

partenopei

MarcCalifornia

2d ago

2 3

I thought it was a very interesting game. Very tactical and not just decided by the team with the fastest and

strongest players.

Napoli were actually very brave in sitting so deep, inviting the Barca high press in order to open up space for attacks. One mistake would be disastrous and Napoli played it perfectly. Barcelona also dealt with that well with their defenders by hook or by crook preventing too many

break-aways.

A fine game played at a high level.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

* Show 2 more replies

*

Nasher77

2d ago

2 3

"Nélson Semedo beat the offside trap from Busquets’ pass ..." - wasn't it Messi who beat the offside trap? And no mention of the fact that Vidal received his second yellow without actually receiving his first yellow. That is, the ref didn't show him one yellow for the tackle and THEN he got a second yellow for aggressive behaviour, he simply showed him two yellows without any time between them. Like two yellows for the same action.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter | Pick

Report

*

partenopei

Nasher77

2d ago

2 3

Nope.

The referee clearly showed him 2 separate yellow cards, one for the foul and one for the confrontation.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

zTom Nasher77

2d ago

1 2

No, it was a yellow for the tackle then a yellow to _both _players involved in the face to face with the Napoli player? 2 yellows for 2 fouls.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

replayed Nasher77

2d ago

1 2

Busquets's through ball was to Semedo, who then crossed for Griezmann. I think the issue is that we're used to thinking of the yellow card as a "caution." But when used in this particular scenario, it really isn't. One of those funny loopholes in the Laws. The players know the score, though, so Vidal only has himself to blame.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter | Pick

Report

* Show 2 more replies

*

Bacon78

2d ago

2 3

I'd love to see Napoli win through this tie; Barca are such a bore at

the moment.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter | Pick

Report

*

JohnnyLove Bacon78

2d ago

5 6

Napoli was the team that parked the bus at home...

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

smuglyfrombrazil

Bacon78

2d ago

3 4

I'm not sure what you expected Barcelona to do against a team that played with ten defenders.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter | Pick

Report

*

Bacon78

smuglyfrombrazil

2d ago

0 1

Well, its Barca, they're suppose to feat the Goat.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter | Pick

Report

* Show 1 more reply

*

rickyvilla

2d ago

1 2

barcelona were poor, but will win at camp nou. compared to chelsea,

barca are brazil

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

StGsX

2d ago

7 8

People are commenting as if Napoli are some kind of pathetic small-timers: "...with all due respect...etc." = absolutely no respect! Napoli are having a pretty mediocre season but still, up until last week they were the only team to beat LFC. They have been consistently one of the most exciting attacking teams of the past ten years, but because they don't play in the EPL and aren't Juventus you don't care. A team with real fans (and literally millions of them) who have achieved so much: despite, rather than because of, the federation they play in. Barcelona are there for he taking and don't act all surprised if Napoli pull it off. Don't judge a team by the stats they have on FIFA for xbox.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

Official_dybala_fan

StGsX

2d ago

0 1

They should have keep Jorginho, Sarri and Cavani.... maybe even Higuain. But as a Juve fan I love pipita.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

Mexile

2d ago

5 6

I accept it is difficult to break down such a packed and well-drilled defence but it does baffle me why Barca play so slowly and so sideways so often. If the world can see it, why not those professionals? Is it a result of this whole Barca dedication to the rondo? Great possession but no target? Of course you need the players to get behind the defence and a nervous Junior and Vidal are hardly the candidates. Maybe Semedo should play up front next time and use (if fit) Sergi Roberto in defence. Just a suggestion.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

giusep Mexile

2d ago

1 2

well I am sure Setien will appreciate your suggestion!

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

Nasher77 Mexile

2d ago

1 2

Nowadays they complete 800 passes, but only 3 forward passes - that's because they are a shadow of their former selves without (the dictatorship-supporting) Javi and Iniesta

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter | Pick

Report

*

sac_zine Mexile

2d ago

1 2

When you're as old as this Barca side, you really don't want to lose the ball because you don't have the legs to recover it back quickly & can also be exposed in the transition. Throw in being away & it's not surprising they were more conservative in attack.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter | Pick

Report

*

JimmyConnolly67

2d ago

2 3

Right. This isn't related to the article but as there are no boxing articles available for comment I have to put it here. I was rewatching the Fury fight today and I spotted something which to the best of knowledge NO ONE in the whole planet (or at least the internet) has spotted. After the second round Tyson is sat in his corner and there is a huge glob of vaseline on his chin. During the third round (and just before the knock down) the vaseline is passed onto Wilder's beard... and then it falls to the ground. Two seconds later Wilder is knocked down and his feet fly from under him (look at it again, it's a definite slip). He SLIPPED on the vaseline (not that it really mattered as tyson was battering him anyway but still.) And I am the only person to have noticed.

As you were

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter | Pick

Report

*

Official_dybala_fan

2d ago

3 4

Just a friendly reminder that Barca just tied a 6th place in Serie A Napoli, who's defensive midfielder was a German named Demme... On the other hand, Barca was using the GOAT, Griez, Busquets, etc. Just look at the price difference of the two teams. Yes I understand that sometimes Barca lose, but the content of the game just shows that Napoli tactically was much better, and Barca could even be fortunate to get away with a draw.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter | Pick

Report

*

wtfreally1978

Official_dybala_fan

2d ago

3 4

oh stop it. atleti were 4/5th when they played the run-away leaders of the EPL. domestic form, as we all know, can have little baring on euro form. you may have forgotten that barca dealt with inter better. you're right about the fortune though. but then, it doesn't take a master to figure that one out. barca have been fortunate in some games for many seasons. but they are still a very good team...on their day.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

JohnnyLove

Official_dybala_fan

2d ago

1 2

Napoli had six wins out of their seven last games in the league prior to this game, having beat Juventus and Inter away in the process. They are really not as bad as some make them out to be.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

Official_dybala_fan

2d ago

4 5

I have never seen Barca in recent history play a champions league round of 16 match this boring... they had 2 shots on target... The total shots for both teams (off and on target) is a mere 15! Even IN super defensive SERIE A, the AC Milan and FIORENTINA game had 26 shots (off and on target). I think it has come a time than Barca try new formations and tactics rather than sticking to the historical Barca possession football... It might be hard under Setien since he was a Barca fan and probably won't have it in his heart to change the way Barca play football.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

replayed

Official_dybala_fan

2d ago

0 1

You found last year's 0-0 in Lyon less boring?

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter | Pick

Report

*

Nathan_Pollard

Official_dybala_fan

2d ago

1 2

super defensive SERIE A

No.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

Official_dybala_fan

replayed

2d ago

0 1

No. But, for a round of 16 match it was definitely on the poor side.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

* Show 1 more reply

*

Official_dybala_fan

2d ago

2 3

What is Setien doing? He's playing more boring soccer than Mourinho going all out defence...

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter | Pick

Report

*

rickyvilla

Official_dybala_fan

2d ago

4 5

yawn, 1-1 is a good result for barca. they will win by 2 or 3 goals

next month

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

FanaticKestrel

2d ago

0 1

Looks to me like Messi has taken up walking football...

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

FranceParisLove

2d ago

1 2

How surprising we cannot commet Chelsea game. One should not criticize

an English team :)

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

Gonnit

FranceParisLove

2d ago

10 11

The 754 comments (and counting) sure look like comments by people commenting on the Chelsea match.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

bonhiver

FranceParisLove

2d ago

3 4

If you're from Paris you should probably think about criticising PSG first for financial doping and ruining the French top division.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter | Pick

Report

*

FranceParisLove

Gonnit

2d ago

2 3

Ok thank you I'm ashamed :) I'll look for better

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter | Pick

Report

* Show 4 more replies

*

sac_zine

2d ago

8 9

Obviously not a vintage Barca side but silly to proclaim that this side have no chance to progress if Napoli are conquered. After all, Spurs made the finals & I'll still take this side any day over the Harry Kane team that plays better without Harry Kane. Real Madrid won a couple CLs despite not being the best team in the country, much less

Europe.

The best team in the world is Liverpool but as I've posted for months now, the Prem's English style flatters them & Atleti proved they are not invincible. Every other club is pretty much just as flawed as

Barca.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

balletbullets

sac_zine

2d ago

3 4

I suppose it's recent history counting against them. Spurs were injury hit and not having a great season but had impressed and beaten some top sides in the previous 2 years in the champions league. It typified their ascension and momentum. Whereas Barcelona are in a habit of being lethargic in Europe.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter | Pick

Report

*

replayed sac_zine

2d ago

1 2

Note to self: Search for the words reminder and sac_zine to find this post in the future. ;)

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

sac_zine replayed

2d ago

0 1

Hey! I'm not saying we'll win it for sure & I don't like our chances but nothing is impossible. With this field, far from it

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter | Pick

Report

* Show 4 more replies

*

maiki

2d ago

4 5

Barça are 12-1-0 with a gola difference of 44-12 at home this season.

Should be fine.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

valleyhumanoid

2d ago

4 5

Worst game yet from Junior, Semedo was great. De Jong looked like he didn't want to be there.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter | Pick

Report

*

JohnnyLove

2d ago

41 42

Atletico Madrid park the bus at home, Liverpool fail to create a single shot on target: - "Simeone and Atletico are so vulgar and boring! Liverpool did the best they could against such disgraceful cynicism. They will for sure

win it at Anfield"

Napoli park the bus at home, Barcelona struggle to break through but

does so eventually:

- "Barca are so vulgar and boring! Create so little and are so lucky to score against a brave Napoli playing with heart! This contest is

not over!"

English football fans in a nutshell.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

valleyhumanoid

JohnnyLove

2d ago

10 11

> - "Simeone and Atletico are so vulgar and boring! Liverpool did the > best they could against such disgraceful cynicism. They will for > sure win it at Anfield" I'd say Liverpool were just not prepared for the aggressive physicality and speed of La Liga.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter | Pick

Report

*

JohnnyLove

valleyhumanoid

2d ago

4 5

Hahaha, exactly! ;)

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

bonhiver

JohnnyLove

2d ago

12 13

A few strawmen then topped with a sprinkle of prejudice...

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

* Show 1 more reply

*

tedcaselle2

2d ago

4 5

Shame on Barca for playing dirty against underdog Napoli. Napoli, a very beautiful teama!

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

smuglyfrombrazil

tedcaselle2

2d ago

3 4

You are a talkingg da crappa

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

eprstockholm

2d ago

6 7

I like to favour the underdog and thought that Mertens goal was

superb.

His celebration, though, had me hoping Barca win 43-0 in the return. Anyway Barca were stodgy and dull but to be fair Napoli weren’t exactly a thrillfest themselves with ten men behind the ball for 85 minutes. The away goal means they need to come out and play a bit in the second leg which might make for a better game.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

Guidovanasselt

eprstockholm

2d ago

3 4

apparently a tribute to their eccentric team assistant

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

ironmuzz

2d ago

1 2

don't be surprised if barcelona are knocked out by napoli !

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter | Pick

Report

*

Yazalde ironmuzz

2d ago

7 8

As a Barça supporter, I am hoping Napoli do knock us out. I fear any other European powerhouse would give them a thundering both home and away. Just seeing Bayern, Atalanta, the new Håland inspired Borussia, Liverpool, any of the top 6 favourites to win it this year will blow away the walking dead that my beloved Barça has become.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

valleyhumanoid

Yazalde

2d ago

0 1

> the walking dead that my beloved Barça has become. Look on the bright side: thanks to Abidal there are not too many walking dead left to blow away!

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

balletbullets

2d ago

3 4

Barcelona aren't so good a team needs to sit that deep, you switch to the Bayern game 30 minutes in and it's like watching a different sport. One involving running and space, the other lots of walking. That criticism follows because Napoli conceded even if it never looked like it. Messi is right though, Barcelona are not winning this tournament. You think about what it took last time, the greatest front 3 ever, scoring for fun, Rakitic pivotal, Iniesta there. All new signings not worked, on loan, sold or injured, with a kid coming on with a few minutes to go. At this point maybe Barcelona would do better without Messi if that's the reason for teams sitting deep and being scared shitless of him. It's not a proper game and they're nowhere near slick and quick enough to carve open chances. Regardless of style, the new manager has not increased the urgency and speed of passing. I think Bayern or Liverpool would cut through them easily.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter | Pick

Report

*

kongshan

2d ago

2 3

Let’s be honest neither of these two sides have got very solid defence and even before the match most of the bookies were saying both teams to score would be the safest bet. Turns out they were right. But should either of them get through the QF, they will not stand a chance against any of the top sides.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

Yvanoff kongshan

2d ago

1 2

Tell us something we dont know.... Napoli are having a terrible season and Barça have been on the decline for years now, it was obvious before the match that neither of those teams are winning the CL. This

just confirms it

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

HanGrady

2d ago

5 6

in order to reform this dreadful barca side (bartomeu's barca), they will need to suffer another biggest bottle job in a row to expel that espanyol fanatic in 2021 presidential election.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter | Pick

Report

*

valleyhumanoid

HanGrady

2d ago

0 1

Covid19 might help too.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

Rbjh23

2d ago

0 1

You don’t see enough refs wearing pink.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

JFredSpeaks

2d ago

2 3

An offside goal for Barfa on the lead up. They never seem to see it for the mighty cheats. Finally, Vidal took a red and several other should have had one as well.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

*

Jordifromflix

JFredSpeaks

2d ago

22 23

It's a good thing you aren't at all bitter about it.

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter | Pick

Report

*

Primeobjective88

JFredSpeaks

2d ago

4 5

Haha go to sleep you're drunk

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter | Pick

Report

*

Donkio JFredSpeaks

2d ago

0 1

Who was offside?

Reply

Share

Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter

| Pick

Report

1 2 3

__ Sorry there was an error. Please try again later. If the problem persists, please contact Userhelp Close report comment form __ Please select Personal abuse Off topic Legal issue Trolling Hate speech Offensive/Threatening language Copyright Spam Other

Reason (optional)

Email (optional) Report

__

Sign in

or create your Guardian account to recommend a comment

View more comments

MOST POPULAR

* Soccer

* Live scores

* Tables

* Fixtures

* Results

* Competitions

* Clubs

* News

* Opinion

* Sport

* Culture

* Lifestyle

* About us

* Contact us

* Complaints & corrections

* SecureDrop

* Work for us

* Privacy settings

* Privacy policy

* Cookie policy

* Terms & conditions

* Help

* All topics

* All writers

* Digital newspaper archive

* Facebook

* Twitter

* Advertise with us

* Guardian Labs

* Search jobs

* Dating

* Discount Codes

Support The Guardian Available for everyone, funded by readers Contribute

Subscribe

Back to top

� 2020 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved.

Close

* Share on Twitter

* Share via Email

YOUR PRIVACY

We use cookies to improve your experience on our site and to show you personalised advertising. To find out more, read our privacy policy

and cookie policy

.

Show Information that may be used * Type of browser and its settings * Cookie information * Information about other identifiers assigned to the device * The IP address from which the device accesses a client's website or

mobile application

* Information about the geographic location of the device when it accesses a website or mobile application

Show Purposes

* Information storage and access

* Personalisation

* Ad selection, delivery, reporting * Content selection, delivery, reporting

* Measurement

I'm OK with thatOptions