Aubameyang, Dembele and Traore train with Barcelona ahead of Napoli game - in pictures

Catalan giants take part in second-tier Europa League for first time in 18 years

Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, right, during a training session at Sant Joan Despi on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, on the eve of their Europa League match against Napoli. EPA

Barcelona attacker Ousmane Dembele during training. EPA

Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong training ahead of the Napoli game. EPA

Barcelona's Dani Alves during training. EPA

Jordi Alba during training at Sant Joan Despi in Barcelona. EPA

Barcelona attacker Adama Traore stretches during training. AFP

Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele during training. EPA

Barcelona's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang training ahead of the Napoli game. EPA

Barcelona Spanish defender Gerard Pique, left, training with teammates. AFP

Barcelona's Gerard Pique heads the ball. AFP

Barcelona's Dani Alves and Ousmane Dembele. AFP

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez with his assistant Oscar Hernandez. AFP

Barcelona's French forward Ousmane Dembele controls the ball. AFP

Barca defender Dani Alves. EPA

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong during training. Reuters

Barcelona midfielder Gavi with teammates during training. Reuters

Barcelona attacker Ousmane Dembele. Reuters

Barcelona forward Nico Gonzalez. EPA

Barcelona's Frenkie De Jong with teammates at training. AFP

Barcelona's Spanish defender Oscar Mingueza, centre. AFP

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique applauds teammates at training. AFP

Barcelona defender Jordi Alba. AFP

Barcelona forward Ferran Torres . AFP

Barcelona's Dani Alves and Jordi Alba during training. Reuters

Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele passes the ball at training. AFP

Mighty Barcelona will be given a humbling reality check on Thursday when they begin their bid to win the second-tier Europa League.

The five-time European champions crashed out of the Champions League in the group stage with just two goals scored in six matches as they finished third behind Bayern Munich and Benfica.

At least their opponents in a competition Barca are taking part in for the first time in 18 years offer a bit of Euro glamour, as they take on Serie A title challengers Napoli at Camp Nou. The two teams met in the last 16 of the Champions League only two years ago.

It will be a sign of some progress under manager Xavi Hernandez if Barca can emerge victorious in the two-legged play-off to reach the last-16 stage.

Barca were busy in the last transfer window bringing in the likes of Ferran Torres, Adama Traore and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - and the attacking trio were all training on Wednesday ahead of the play-off first leg.

And Xavi has backed former Arsenal striker Aubameyang to make his mark. "He's good, and he trains really well. He's 100 per cent ready. He's a player who can make a difference, he works well in spaces and makes good runs into the area," Xavi said.

"He's put in performances in recent years that have been very good. I'm very happy with him, he's working positively in our group, and he's very professional."

They currently sit fourth in La Liga, a whopping 15 points behind leaders Real Madrid, and drew 2-2 at neighbours Espanyol on Sunday after Luuk de Jong's injury-time goal rescued a point.

Napoli, managed by Luciano Spalletti, finished second but joint top of their Europa League group level on points with Spartak Moscow. They are third in Serie A - two points behind leaders AC Milan - and drew 1-1 with second-placed Inter Milan at the weekend.

You can see images from Barcelona's training session in Spain ahead of the Napoli game in the gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if on a mobile device.

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