Michael Owen claims Barcelona face a ‘rebuilding job’ despite beating Napoli

‘They don’t look like Barcelona to me’: Michael Owen claims Lionel Messi and Co are an ‘ageing team’ facing a ‘rebuilding job’ despite beating Napoli to reach Champions League quarter-finals

  • Barcelona beat Napoli 4-2 on aggregate in Champions League last-16 clash
  • Clement Lenglet, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez scored goals to secure progress 
  • However, Michael Owen was heavily critical of the club following the victory
  • Owen called them an ‘ageing team’ and did not expect them to win the title 

Michael Owen took aim at Barcelona for being ‘an ageing team’ and questioned their chances of winning the Champions League this season despite Lionel Messi inspiring them to a 4-2 aggregate victory over Napoli to reach the quarter-finals.

CAfter a 1-1 draw in Naples in the first leg in February, Clement Lenglet headed the hosts in frontbefore Messi produced a wonder goal then earned a penalty that Luis Suarez converted with Lorenzo Insigne scoring a consolation from the spot.

Following the game, Owen was critical despite the win and drew a contrast with the famous side that dominated domestically and in Europe between 2008 and 2012.

Michael Owen was critical of Barcelona following their Champions League win over Napoli

Lionel Messi and Clement Lenglet scored to book the club's place in the quarter-finals

Lionel Messi and Clement Lenglet scored to book the club’s place in the quarter-finals

Owen told BT Sport: ‘When you look at the attempts on goal it’s one sided. Barcelona don’t look like a team that are going to get all the way to the final. 

‘Barcelona have got talented players but it’s an ageing team. There’s not a lot of pace in attacking areas. They’re a bit disjointed. 

‘They don’t look like Barcelona to me. I think it will be a bit of a rebuilding job for them over the next few seasons.’ 

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