Barcelona, Xavi reveals the player he would take away from Napoli
Xavi’s statements ahead of Barcelona-Napoli
After a 1-1 draw in the first leg, Barcelona and Napoli will play for Champions League quarterfinal qualification in the return match at Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium. On the eve of the challenge, Blaugrana coach Xavi, among other topics covered in the press conference, wanted to emphasize the cruciality of the match for the Catalan club.
"Tomorrowè the most important match of the season. We are prepared and excited. We haven’t reached the quarterfinals for four years, competing è the key word. Napoli is not living its best moment, but it is still the reigning champion team in Serie A. We need our fans to experience another great European night" began the Barcelona coach.
"I like many things about Napoli: its game and its individualities, like those of its three strikers. It's a team that always starts from the bottom, playing a soccer very similar to ours. Coach Calzona has restored confidence in this club. If I had to take one player away from them I would say Lobotka. I like him at the game-building level, he doesn’t lose a single ball. I would like to see him at a club like Barcelona. For me he could make a difference here" continued the former Spanish midfielder.
"I expect a brave Napoli side that will try to have control of the ball and will come at us high in the non-possession phase. It will be a very entertaining match, because they come to this challenge at a good level of form and with a lot of confidence. We also come to this match well, although we will have to contend with some important absences. In the first leg we were superior and we will have to try to be superior at home as well" added the former Al-Saad coach.
" Montjuic will have to look like Camp Nou. The fans have to come and charge us, they will have to be our 12th man on the field and make the players feel their support. I hope to see a very warm and involved stadium. There'è no real favorite, but playing at home could help us give something extra," concluded Xavi Hernandez.
