Ahead Of The Second Leg Of The Champions League Round Of 16, Xavi Tanjung Napoli

Barcelona coach from Spain Xavi applauded at the end of the Spanish League match between FC Barcelona and Club Atletico de Madrid at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Sunday (3/12/2023). (ANTARA/AFP/Lluis Gene/am)

JAKARTA - Ahead of the second leg of the Champions League last 16 at the Lluis Companys Stadium, Barcelona, Wednesday morning WIB, Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez believes Napoli is different from the first leg.

Quoted from Football Espana, Monday, Xavi assessed that Napoli had continued to show developments since being handled by Francesco Calzona.

"Napoli has grown up with a new, more dynamic and comfortable coach. Losing (several players) is indeed important, but we have to compete. We have been better there and we have to be better here," said Xavi, quoted from ANTARA, Monday, March 11.

"I expect Napoli who dare to play from behind and put high pressure, don't speculate, have high individual qualities, the three players at the front have a lot of quality, this is a big game and is a great team, the current Italian champions," he stressed.

At the first meeting, Napoli had just appointed Francesco Calzona as head coach to replace Walter Mazzarri just 48 hours before the start against Barcelona. Regarding the player who attracted the most attention, Xavi views midfielder Stanislav Lobotka as a player who has the potential to trouble the Blaugrana.

Apart from Lobotka, the Spaniard also pays attention to Napoli's attack, which according to him has sharpness and quality such as Matteo Politano, Victor Osimhen to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

"Among the Napoli players, I like those who are up front, they are at the top level in Europe such as Politano, Osimhen and Kvara. And also how they survive," said Xavi.

"It's hard. In my opinion, Lobotka, I really like her, the way she builds attacks from behind and doesn't lose the ball. I want to see her at a club like Barca, I think she has the quality to play at a club like Barcelona, I think she can make a difference for Napoli," he concluded.

In the second leg later, Barcelona will need to secure victory with any score over Napoli to ensure they qualify for the Champions League quarter-finals after drawing 1-1 in Naples.