Gennaro Gattuso and goalkeeper David Ospina had nothing but praise for Barça as they appeared before the press ahead of Saturday’s Champions League last 16 second leg at Camp Nou.


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“We will have to climb Everest,” said Gattuso. “We will have to put in a great performance tactically and technically. We will give everything but that might not be enough against a great team,” added the former AC Milan player.

“Barça are a team with great players and it’s spectacular to watch their young players,” continued Gattuso before describing Riqui Puig as a ‘great talent.’ The Napoli boss had nothing but praise for Barça’s philosophy of developing players: “It’s a credit to La Masia who have been working hard for years and it’s no coincidence that players like this come through.”

Nevertheless, the Italian was upbeat about his own squad: “Since the first leg we have improved a lot but at Camp Nou it will be tough to have possession.” Gattuso has included captain Insigne in the squad but admitted, “If he is not at 100% then he won’t play a minute.”

FULL MATCH – The first leg between Barça and Napoli

THE LOWDOWN – SSC Napoli

Ospina: “We’re aware of Messi’s quality”
Napoli’s Colombian keeper David Ospina knows only too well the danger posed by the Argentine: “I have had several opportunities to come up against Messi, many times with the national team in South America. We know he is a player who can decide a game.”

“It will be tough to play without fans but we have to concentrate on our game to get the result that we need,” concluded Ospina on Saturday’s decisive contest at Camp Nou.