Napoli-Barcelona will be the most expensive game ever to be played at San Paolo

Napoli appear to be out of the worst crisis of the past 15 years. After Fiorentina served them their their fourth consecutive home defeat - something which last happened in 1998, the Azzurri managed to knock Lazio out of the Coppa Italia and beat Sarri's Juventus in the same week. Both victories were at San Paolo and coincided with the return of the organized supporters' groups who had been boycotting the team's home games.

The Ultras called a strike after fans who had been caught sitting in a different location to the one stated on their tickets were handed a 166.66 euro fine by the club. An agreement was finally reached which allows fans to join up inside the stadium and create the kind of atmosphere it is known for all over the world. 

Nápoles

• Italia

NewsStatistics

Napoli announce extortinate ticket prices for Barcelona game

However this morning, a new problem emerged - one which drives another wedge between the fans and club. Napoli announced the prices of tickets for the first leg of their Champions League first leg tie against  Barcelona on 25 February. Tickets go on sale for season ticket holders only tomorrow and general sale on 6 February; they are most expensive ticket prices in club history.  In the various sections of the ground, the cheapest tickets in the Curvas are priced at 70 euros, while a seat in Distinti costs 130 euros, the Tribuna Family 120 euros (40 euros for children under the age of 12), the Tribuna Nisida 190 euros and the Posillipo 250 euros.

Napoli and Barcelona meet for the first time in official competition

Those prices outstrip the prices paid by fans for Real Madrid's visit in 2017, where tickets for the same sections of the stadium cost: 50, 100, 80, 150 and 190 euros respectively. Napoli' sky-high pricing for the Barça game has caused outrage on social media with many fans threatening not to attend in protest. However, considering the newly-found form Gattuso's team are in, it is difficult to imagine anyone wanting to miss the first ever offcial visit by Barcelona and Leo Messi to the San Paolo - however much it might cost...