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00:00 The FA Champions League returns this midweek with heavyweight matches between Spanish and
00:04 Italian teams.
00:05 I'm talking Napoli up against Barcelona.
00:08 Here's a preview of these games.
00:10 My name is Ayomede Shispa and this is the nutmeg on Guardian TV.
00:13 Napoli up against Barcelona.
00:21 And these are two sides who are not having the best of times.
00:24 Napoli after winning the Scudetto, under Luciano Spalletti, they've not been able to move on
00:30 after his departure.
00:31 I mean, we've seen Rudy Garcia this season already, he's been sacked.
00:36 We've also seen Walter Marzari, who there's heavy speculation at the moment that he will
00:40 be sacked.
00:41 We understand that there might be a new manager in the dugout this time.
00:46 It is Slovakian coach Francesco Cazona who could come in and do a job for the rest of
00:52 the season, maybe.
00:53 And also, we hear that Napoli legend Marek Hamšik is going to be part of the coaching
00:59 staff as well.
01:00 Pretty much treated as speculation.
01:02 But hey, it's also possible that we see this when Barcelona come to town.
01:07 About Barcelona, by the way, Xavi Hernandez, he has already announced that he's going
01:12 to leave.
01:13 I mean, they won the La Liga last season, but the story has been different from them.
01:15 I just feel that Xavi would want to prove a point.
01:18 This is a tournament that has beset him thus far.
01:21 The UEFA Champions League is in fact the first time Barcelona are getting to this stage under
01:25 him as coach.
01:27 So he wants to prove a point most definitely.
01:29 And also, what I view perhaps a new manager balance could be a factor for Napoli, even
01:35 the return of, or should I say the potential return of Victor Simeone, who had a probably
01:42 decent, if you want to call it decent, African Cup of Nations tournament.
01:46 But he might return, was in the stands when Napoli lost at the weekend.
01:50 Probably he comes in and can lead them to victory against Barcelona.
01:55 That's up in the air.
01:56 But also the new manager balance, it works in football.
01:58 We've seen it many times.
02:00 It could happen this time.
02:01 Take note of the name.
02:03 It is Francesco Calzona, Slovakian coach, and Marek Amšek.
02:08 That could be motivation for the guys to go on and do a big result right there.
02:12 And Napoli, by the way, if that's a factor, you also have to consider that they have never
02:17 won a major European match against Barcelona.
02:19 Barcelona have been victorious against them each time they've met.
02:23 So this is also a big deal.
02:25 It's a game of two legs, a game of two matches.
02:29 So of course, there's enough time to really decide what happens in this time.
02:35 But really, it's the first leg.
02:37 These games are finally poised and we have to see how they go down this week.
02:41 But then you can tell us your predictions as well in the comment section as to how it
02:45 could possibly turn out to be.
02:47 Thank you very much.
02:48 That's our show for this episode.
02:50 You can be part of the community by hitting the subscribe button right here on Guardian
02:54 Nigeria and also get our latest content when you tap the notification bells as well.
02:59 My name is Amine Shotaba.
03:01 Thank you very, very much for watching us ever so well, as you always do.
03:05 And I'll see you in the next episode.
03:07 Goodbye.
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