Barcelona to play ‘most important’ game vs Napoli, says Xavi
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said the club will play the “most important game of the season so far” with Napoli.
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Xavi expecting a “magical night”
Barca aims to book its first Champions League quarterfinal since 2020.
The first leg between Barcelona and Napoli ended in a 1-1 tie after Victor Osimhen matched Robert Lewandowski’s opener in Italy.
“It’s the most important game of the season so far,” Xavi said in his pre-game news conference. “We are really up for it. It has been a while since we reached the quarterfinals, so it’s a huge opportunity.”
“There is a desire to do well and to compete against a great opponent. [Napoli] have not been in best form [this season] but the base is the same as the side that made them Italian champions last year. I hope it will be a magical night.”
Focus on being one of Europe’s elite clubs
Barcelona, the reigning Spanish champions in LaLiga and the Spanish Supercopa last year, aims to claim the European title this season.
Despite Xavi’s impending departure from Barcelona, he insisted that the focus is on the Champions League.
“I am not important [on Tuesday],” he said. “It’s about the club and the team. I already have an expiry date. I will tell the players to have no fear.”
Being in the quarterfinals would make Barcelona one of the elite clubs in Europe.
“It’s an opportunity to be among the best eight teams in Europe. We have to get back there four years later,” he said.
“I see teams with different potential, but we can compete against any other team.”
“We are in a difficult situation financially, and we have not been able to do everything we wanted to do. We have had to adapt to these
circumstances, but the club has made a huge effort since I’ve been here.”
