Gatusso believes undermining the Spanish giants due to their recent poor form will be dangerous, insisting Napoli are not in good form either.
Barcelona will entertain the Partenopei on August 8 at Camp Nou, with the Serie A side hoping to pull a rabbit out of the bag against the Blaugrana after the first leg ended 1-1.
After emphatically seeing off a stubborn Sassuolo side in the Serie A on Saturday night, the Naples-based club have two domestic games left before switching their attention to Europe.
Gattuso’s side were fortunate to have won the game as VAR ruled out Sassuolo’s efforts three times, and the Italian coach is really aware of his side’s defensive frailties.
Speaking to Football Italia after the game, the former AC Milan boss said his team will lose if they undermine the Spaniards.
“Against Sassuolo we played correctly, but Barcelona have [Lionel] Messi, who gets the ball, leaves 10 players behind and passes it underneath seven.” the Italian said.
“If we play thinking that they are in poor form then we’re heading to the hospital or the cemetery.”
“It was a good test because [Sassuolo] have a philosophy similar to that of Barcelona,” he added.
“Barcelona are Barcelona, but we will go to the Camp Nou to play our game and try to pass.
“We will not be defeated before playing.
“It will be a very important 90 minutes."
