As Napoli arrived at Camp Nou on Thursday, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was given his first start for Barcelona.
Former Arsenal striker Aubameyang was named in a three-man frontline for the Europa League play-off first leg, alongside Ferran Torres and Adama Traore.
All three players recently joined Barcelona from the Premier League, with former Manchester City striker Torres and ex-Wolves forward Traore having already made an impact for Xavi’s side.
For the first time since lining up for Arsenal against Manchester United on December 2, Aubameyang was named to start a first-team game at club level.
As his relationship with manager Mikel Arteta deteriorated, he fell out of favor at Arsenal, prompting the move to Spain.
Head coach Xavi said of the Gabon striker on Wednesday: “I am very happy with him. He is very professional and very positive within the group.”
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Sergio Busquets and Gavi were rested to the bench as head coach Xavi made use of his squad, while there was a notable presence in the Napoli side as Victor Osimhen was passed fit.
The Nigeria striker did not train on Monday due to a minor knee problem but was given the green light to line up for Luciano Spalletti’s team.
This was a clash of two of Diego Maradona’s former clubs, who were vying for a place in the Europa League last-16 stage.
The only previous meeting between the teams in a major European competition occurred in the last 16 of the 2019-20 Champions League, when Barcelona won 4-2 on aggregate after a 3-1 win at Camp Nou.
