Xavi: Napoli Game Will Show Barcelona’s Level
Naples, 24 Feb (ONA) —- Xavi Hernandez is confident that Barcelona can progress past Napoli in the second leg of the Europa League playoff tie, but has warned that the match will be a test of what level they are at.
The first leg finished 1-1 at Camp Nou last week, with Barcelona missing plenty of good chances.
“Barcelona were great when we had a specific style of play and we have lost it a bit,” Xavi said at the pre-match press conference.
“We are on the way to recover it. It is a litmus test to see if we can [do it] because they are a Champions League opponent.
“We have to play on their field, at [Stadio] Diego Armando Maradona. We have reasons to show that we can compete. It’s our concern because it’s the next game.
“They’re an opponent that has a Champions League pedigree. It’s good proof [whether] Barcelona can compete in Europe against a strong club.
Xavi admits that it would be a big disappointment to be knocked out at this stage of the competition.
After it was said that Ousmane Dembele should leave Barcelona if he failed to sign a new deal, the Frenchman was back in the starting line-up against Valencia, and Xavi says there are no problems between him and the player, the Spanish MARCA reported.
— Ends/Ahmed
