Xavi Hernandez expects Barcelona star to make difference against Napoli – 'He'll have a big opportunity'

Barcelona began their Champions League elimination campaign on Wednesday when they looked the same Naples at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium in the first leg of the last 16 ties. Both teams come into the match in relatively poor form, each having had a massive performance in the season so far.

While Barcelona are not playing particularly well at the moment, coach Xavi Hernandez recognizes the game in Naples, and the tie in general, as an opportunity to show that his team is capable of competing on the European front, as and for MD.

“For us, there is excitement, hope, motivation to go to the quarter-finals. I think it is the biggest competition at club level. It is the ideal and perfect place to show what we know. Napoli changed their coach in a surprising way, but he is a coach who knows the club. It is not easy for us because we do not know how the game will be with the change of coach.”

Xavi is backing his big strikers to make the difference against Napoli, and especially Robert Lewandowski, who has returned to training in recent weeks.

“For Lewandowski, for Frenkie, for Pedri. It's a perfect place to show your talent, your personality… For me also as a coach. Robert is a great leader, and tomorrow he will have a great opportunity to show his talent”.

Barcelona need to ensure they stay in the tie after Wednesday night's game, otherwise they are staring down the barrel of a trophyless season. According to reports, that could cost Xavi his job now, rather than in the summer when he intends to leave.