Wasteful Barca fritter away chances

After dropping out of the Champions League, Barcelona now faces a diffi cult task just to qualify for the round of 16 in the Europa League.

In its first appearance in the secondtier European competition in nearly two decades, the Catalan club was held 1-1 by Napoli at Camp Nou Stadium on Thursday in the first leg of one of eight playoffs between thirdplace fi nishers in the Champions League groups and Europa League group runners-ups.

It is the fi rst time since 2003-04 that Barcelona is not in the knockout stages of the Champions League, a tournament it won fi ve times. Ferran Torres salvaged the draw for Barcelona by converting a penalty that was awarded due to Juan Jesus’ handball in the 59th minute.

The forward calmly sent goalkeeper Alex Meret the opposite way from the spot. Barcelona dominated the remaining 30 minutes but couldn’t fi nd a winner. Napoli scored from a counterattack after Torres wasted a chance to net for Barcelona.

At the other end, Eljif Elmas set up Piotr Zieli?ski for the opener in the 29th. Barcelona goalkeeper Ter Stegen saved his fi rst low attempt but the Polish midfi elder fi red a rebound in the roof of the net.