Key Napoli forward doubtful for Europa League clash against Barcelona

In what could be a boost for Barcelona, Napoli are likely to be without key forward Lorenzo Insigne for their upcoming UEFA Europa League knockout playoff clash later this week.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the Italian international injured his right thigh in training this past Monday and missed the Partenopei’s Serie A clash against Cagliari, which they drew 1-1.

Now, it is being claimed that the forward, who was part of Italy’s UEFA Euro 2020 winning squad last year, is a doubt for the game against the Blaugrana as well.

Barcelona take on Napoli in the second leg of their Europa League knockout playoffs at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on Thursday night. The first leg, played at Camp Nou last week, saw the Catalans come back from a goal down to play out a 1-1 draw.

With the Europa League being the only possible trophy avenue for Xavi Hernandez & co. this season, they will be intent on turning things around in Naples. And the absence of Insigne could boost their hopes of getting through the next stage.

The 30-year-old is a key player for Luciano Spalletti’s side and has contributed with seven goals and six assists from 24 games in all competitions this term. He will be leaving the club at the end of the season, having agreed a Bosman move to Toronto FC and will want to sign off on a high.

While Insigne remains a doubt, Napoli will certainly be without the services of midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, who picked up an injury in the first-leg clash against Barça.

Matteo Politano, Stanislav Lobotka and Hirving Lozano, who missed the trip to Catalonia and were unavailable against Cagliari, could be ruled out again with injuries.