Kalidou Koulibaly will miss the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 between Napoli and FC Barcelona this Tuesday due to a relapse of a muscle injury that has troubled him for several weeks.
The Senegalese international initially suffered the injury last December, forcing him into a lengthy spell on the sidelines. His absence was a significant blow for Napoli, given his leadership at the back and his importance in high-stakes European fixtures. After weeks of recovery, Koulibaly made his return to action on February 9th in a Serie A match against Lecce. However, the comeback proved premature. Shortly after rejoining the squad, he experienced a relapse, which ruled him out of the crucial encounter against Barcelona at the San Paolo Stadium.
Koulibaly’s absence is particularly notable considering the magnitude of the Champions League tie. Facing Barcelona requires defensive solidity and experience, qualities the Senegalese center-back consistently provides. His physical presence, aerial dominance, and tactical awareness make him a cornerstone of Napoli’s defensive structure. Without him, the Italian side will have to reorganize their back line to cope with Barcelona’s attacking threats.
Despite the setback, there is optimism surrounding his recovery. Koulibaly has already resumed individual training as part of his rehabilitation process. The medical staff is closely monitoring his progress to ensure he regains full fitness without risking another recurrence. Napoli’s priority is to manage his return carefully, especially with decisive matches approaching in both domestic and European competitions.
There is hope that Koulibaly could make his return to competitive action as early as this Saturday in the league clash against Torino. Such a comeback would provide valuable match rhythm ahead of the second leg of the Champions League tie. More importantly, he is expected to be available for the return fixture at Camp Nou on March 18th, where Napoli will aim to secure qualification to the quarterfinals.
The first leg between Napoli and Barcelona is scheduled for Tuesday, February 25th at 8pm GMT. It promises to be a highly anticipated contest between two clubs with strong European ambitions. While Napoli will have to cope without one of their defensive leaders in the opening encounter, they remain hopeful that Koulibaly’s recovery will allow him to play a decisive role in the second leg.
For the Senegalese defender, the immediate objective is clear: regain full fitness and return stronger, ready to contribute to both his club’s Champions League campaign and their domestic aspirations.
