Manchester City’s forgotten man, Joao Cancelo, helped Barca reach the quarter-finals.
The Portuguese, who joined City for this season after falling out with Pep Guardiola, scored after 20-year-old Fermin Lopez broke the deadlock.
Napoli hit back at Amir Rrahmani and had chances to extend the match.
But they couldn’t handle them and the game ended when Robert Lewandowski scored his 19th goal of the season late in the game.
Barca valued their victory, but it was nothing like their wonderful teams of yesteryear, giving other teams little reason to worry Xavi’s men in the next round.
However, they took a two-goal lead in the first 17 minutes, which threatened to seal the tie entirely.
Joao Cancelo doubles Barça’s lead! ? #UCL pic. twitter. com/oJKZ2ife3O
First, Cancelo fed Raphinha down the left and the former Leeds player chose the young Lopez, on loan in the third division of Spanish football last season, to locate the corner.
Two minutes later, the score was 2-0 when Raphinha’s shot hit the post and Cancelo fired in the rebound.
But the visitors reduced their deficit in the 30th minute thanks to Kosovar defender Rrahmani, who swept away Matteo Politano’s adorable retreat.
Francesco Calzona’s men scored another goal and substitute Jesper Lindstrom headed towards the end with ten minutes remaining.
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And they paid for their waste.
Because 3 minutes later, substitute Sergi Roberto exchanged passes with Ilkay Gundoagan before sending off veteran sniper Lewandowski.
Napoli had chances.
Mathias Olivera hit the crossbar and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia narrowly deflected, but Barça were comfortable.
This is how the drama unfolded at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona. . .
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