After the precedents of 2020 and 2022, Naples once again proved the capacity of Barcelona supporters to mobilise in European competitions and turned blaugrana one more time. Yesterday, more than 1,000 Barça supporters were in the Italian city to support the team in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Napoli, more than half of whom were members of penyes. Their blaugrana passion was felt in full force, both in the hours leading up to the game and in the stands of the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
Cheering non-stop before the match and at the stadium
Once again, the Penya Blaugrana Napoli (FCB World Federation) acted as hosts in the run-up to the game. The Italian supporters’ club organised a meeting in a central location in the city, which was attended by many of the penyes present in Naples. In addition to the Italian supporters’ clubs, there was also the presence of penyes from all over Europe, as well as a large representation of supporters that travelled from Catalonia and the rest of Spain. The square where there is a large mural dedicated to Diego Armando Maradona was also a place of pilgrimage for all the supporters’ clubs.
In the evening, they all travelled to the stadium to cheer on the team until the last minute. Despite the bittersweet taste of the final draw, the penyes once again experienced a memorable day united by the same blaugrana passion, and are already looking forward to the second leg at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
