Napoli survive heavy barrage at Camp Nou as Xavi continues to model Barca in his image

Barcelona showed glimpses of the kind of football the club was playing for most of the past decade, but they still couldn't turn their domination into goals when they hosted Napoli in the first leg of the Europa League play-off round. Instead, they were forced to look for an equalizer after going behind in the first half to a Piotr Zielinski strike. This time, Ferran Torres scored from the spot to ensure a draw and set up another mouth-watering match when these teams meet again in Italy.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made his first start since joining the club as the Blaugrana hosted Napoli in the Europa League and attempted to kick-start their campaign against the club that shares a special bond with Barca - the bond called Diego Maradona. The legendary Argentinean moved from Barcelona to Napoli in 1983 and started the most prolific period of his amazing career. And although Diego remains in the hearts and minds of both sets of fans, but this match was all about the present.

Polish playmaker Zielinski opened the scoring on the half-hour mark just a few seconds after Torres missed a chance for the hosts. Barca have been attacking up to that point, but they couldn't muster clear-cut opportunities. As a result, the Italian team got their noses in front.

Napoli defender Juan Jesus handled the ball when Adama Traore tried to centre the ball. After a VAR check, the referee pointed to the spot and gave Ferran Torres another chance to score. This time, the former Manchester City and Valencia man made no mistake and Barca were level.

The Catalans were the better team, but Neapolitans' strong centre-back pairing of Khalidou Koulibaly and Amir Rrahmani held tight under wave after wave of attacks and ensured a respectable 1-1 result ahead of the return leg at Stadio San Paolo.

Substitute Luuk De Jong nearly scored a spectacular late winner for Barcelona, but his acrobatic overhead kick flew just past the upright as the home fans held their head in their hands.

Barca were "relegated" to Europe's second-best continental competition for the first time in nearly two decades. It came as an insult to many a fan, but that is the reality of the Camp Nou club in 2022. Speaking ahead of the game, boss Xavi Hernandez said that he wished the club were still competing in the Champions League but that they have to accept reality and do their best in the Europa League.

On tonight's evidence, they're on the right path - but the road in front of them remains long and challenging.

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE

Play-off round, first leg

Thursday

Barcelona - Napoli 1-1 (0-1)

/Torres 59 pen - Zielinski 29/

Borussia Dortmund - Rangers 2-4 (0-2)

/Bellingham 51, Guerreiro 82 - Tavernier 38 pen, Morelos 41, Lundstram 49, Zagadou 54 og/

Sheriff - Braga 2-0 (1-0)

/Thill 43 pen, Traore 83/

Zenit - Real Betis 2-3 (2-3)

/Dzyuba 25, Malcom 28 - Rodriguez 8, Willian Jose 18, Guardado 41/

Sevilla - Dinamo Zagreb 3-1 (3-1)

/Rakitic 13 pen, Ocampos 44, Martial 45+1 - Orsic 41/

Atalanta - Olympiacos 2-1 (0-1)

/Djimsiti 61, 63 - Soares 16/

RB Leipzig - Real Sociedad 2-2 (1-1)

/Nkunku 30, Forsberg 82 pen - Le Normand 8, Oyarzabal 64 pen/

Porto - Lazio 2-1 (1-1)

/Martinez 37, 49 - Zaccagni 23/