Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has raised his concerns about his side having to travel to Spain for their <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/uefa-champions-league">UEFA Champions League</a> clash versus Barcelona amid a spike in COVID-19 cases in the country.

UEFA, earlier this month, confirmed that the remaining second-leg matches of Champions League round of 16 matches would be played in stadiums of the home team before the ‘Final-8’ of the elite competition is played in Lisbon, Portugal. The Europa League will be shifted to Germany.&nbsp;

Laurentiis said that while fear is coming from Spain, authorities in the football body is acting like nothing is wrong while adding he really doesn’t see why football should be played in a city that is in critical situation.

"I hear a lot of perplexity and fear coming from Spain and they're acting like nothing is wrong. What does it take to say, 'Don't go to Barcelona but rather go to Portugal, Germany or Geneva?" the Guardian quoted De Laurentiis as saying.

"If they've decided to play the Champions League in Portugal and the Europa League in Germany, I think we can go to Portugal or Germany for the last 16. I don't understand why it should stay in a city that has a really critical situation."

Napoli’s last-16 match with Barcelona is hanging in balance at 1-1 ahead of second leg at the iconic Camp Nou on August 8.&nbsp;

There has been a surge in COVID-19 positives in Spain with thousands of new cases reported on a daily basis, taking the country's total tally to over 303,000 cases.

Players from Sevilla, Real Madrid and Almeria tested positive for the virus this week. 
&nbsp;

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has raised his concerns about his side having to travel to Spain for their UEFA Champions League clash versus Barcelona amid a spike in COVID-19 cases in the country.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has raised his concerns about his side having to travel to Spain for their UEFA Champions League clash versus Barcelona amid a spike in COVID-19 cases in the country. UEFA, earlier this month, confirmed that the remaining second-leg matches of Champions League round of 16 matches would be played in stadiums of the home team before the ‘Final-8’ of the elite competition is played in Lisbon, Portugal. The Europa League will be shifted to Germany. Laurentiis said that while fear is coming from Spain, authorities in the football body is acting like nothing is wrong while adding he really doesn’t see why football should be played in a city that is in critical situation. "I hear a lot of perplexity and fear coming from Spain and they're acting like nothing is wrong. What does it take to say, 'Don't go to Barcelona but rather go to Portugal, Germany or Geneva?" the Guardian quoted De Laurentiis as saying. "If they've decided to play the Champions League in Portugal and the Europa League in Germany, I think we can go to Portugal or Germany for the last 16. I don't understand why it should stay in a city that has a really critical situation." Napoli’s last-16 match with Barcelona is hanging in balance at 1-1 ahead of second leg at the iconic Camp Nou on August 8. There has been a surge in COVID-19 positives in Spain with thousands of new cases reported on a daily basis, taking the country's total tally to over 303,000 cases. Players from Sevilla, Real Madrid and Almeria tested positive for the virus this week.

Napoli president raises concerns about Champions League tie vs Barcelona in Camp Nou

Barcelona save their first leg fixture against Napoli after Antoine Griezmann's vital second-half equaliser at San Paolo Stadium on Tuesday. Scores stand 1-1 after&nbsp;the first leg.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/pep-guardiola-warns-barcelona-after-bartomeu-thanks-uefa-for-ban-281776">Pep Guardiola warns Barcelona after Bartomeu thanks UEFA for ban</a>

A stunning curling strike by Napoli's Dries Mertens put the hosts (Napoli) in front in the 31st minute. The Belgian has drawn level with Marek Hamsik as Napoli's all-time top scorer with 121 goals.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/barcelona-use-la-liga-rule-to-sign-martin-braithwaite-281899">Barcelona use La Liga rule to sign Martin Braithwaite</a>

Sergio Busquets and Arturo Vidal will be missing out the second leg in the Round of 16 at Camp Nou.&nbsp;

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This Messi turn = Skill of the Day 👌 
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Busquests was booked for a foul on Dries Mertens in the 49th minute. This Yellow card means that Busquets will miss out the home fixture in the Round of 16.&nbsp;

Arturo Vidal picked up two yellow cards in the final stages of the game and was sent off after a foul on Mario Rui.&nbsp;

Nelson Semedo was at the risk of being suspended but saw his way through the match and will be playing the second leg fixture.&nbsp;

Barcelona and Napoli will head into the final leg of the Round of 16 with Barca's away goal advantage.&nbsp;

Barca's only concern at this moment is missing out on top players either due to suspension or injuries.&nbsp;

Barcelona will be concerned with Gerard Pique's availability after he limped off with an injury after falling heavily on his ankle.

"We'll see what problem he has, then we can confirm if he'll be available," said Barcelona coach Quique Setien.

Barcelona save their first leg fixture against Napoli after Antoine Griezmann's vital second-half equaliser at San Paolo Stadium on Tuesday. Scores stand 1-1 after the first leg.

Barcelona save their first leg fixture against Napoli after Antoine Griezmann's vital second-half equaliser at San Paolo Stadium on Tuesday. Scores stand 1-1 after the first leg. Also read: Pep Guardiola warns Barcelona after Bartomeu thanks UEFA for ban A stunning curling strike by Napoli's Dries Mertens put the hosts (Napoli) in front in the 31st minute. The Belgian has drawn level with Marek Hamsik as Napoli's all-time top scorer with 121 goals. Also read: Barcelona use La Liga rule to sign Martin Braithwaite Sergio Busquets and Arturo Vidal will be missing out the second leg in the Round of 16 at Camp Nou. This Messi turn = Skill of the Day 👌 ⁣#UCLSOTD | @Mastercard pic.twitter.com/3zt3cQrAam — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 25, 2020 × Busquests was booked for a foul on Dries Mertens in the 49th minute. This Yellow card means that Busquets will miss out the home fixture in the Round of 16. Arturo Vidal picked up two yellow cards in the final stages of the game and was sent off after a foul on Mario Rui. Nelson Semedo was at the risk of being suspended but saw his way through the match and will be playing the second leg fixture. Barcelona and Napoli will head into the final leg of the Round of 16 with Barca's away goal advantage. Barca's only concern at this moment is missing out on top players either due to suspension or injuries. Barcelona will be concerned with Gerard Pique's availability after he limped off with an injury after falling heavily on his ankle. "We'll see what problem he has, then we can confirm if he'll be available," said Barcelona coach Quique Setien.

Champions League: 10-men Barcelona see their way out against Napoli

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Napoli president raises concerns about Champions League tie vs Barcelona in Camp Nou

Champions League: 10-men Barcelona see their way out against Napoli