Much at stake for Barca, Xavi in Napoli trip
FC Barcelona travel for one of the most important games of their season when they face Napoli in the first leg of the Champions League last-16 on Wednesday night.
The game is vital for the club's economy, as well as for the credibility of coach Xavi Hernandez, who has already said he will be stepping down at the end of the season, but who could find himself leaving earlier (despite assurances to the contrary) in the case of a defeat.
Vitor Roque (L) of Barcelona vies with Herrando of Osasuna during a Spanish league (La Liga) football match between FC Barcelona and CA Osasuna in Barcelona, Spain, on Jan. 31, 2024. (Photo by Joan Gosa/Xinhua)
Barcelona's budget for the 2023-2024 was partly based on their reaching the quarterfinals of the Champions League, with the extra 10 million the club would receive from UEFA for reaching the last eight, making a difference to an institution with debts of over 1,000 million euros.
With so much at stake, if Barca lose the first leg in Naples, it would be no big shock to see Barca president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco decide to pull the trigger prematurely on a coach, who at times seems to be watching a different game to the rest of the world.
Xavi's comments after Barca needed a twice-taken 97th minute penalty to beat fourth from bottom Celta Vigo, that according to Big Date his side should be top of La Liga, caused a few raised eyebrows - especially among people who have watched their games this season.
The fact is Barca are third in the table, eight points behind Real Madrid and still have several difficult games to play, including a visit to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, and most of their football has not been that of a team that should be topping the table.
The good news for Barca and Xavi is that Napoli are in an even worse state, with the team currently sitting ninth in Serie A taking drastic action on Monday to sack Walter Mazzarri as coach and replace him with Francesco Calzona, who has just 48 hours to prepare for the tie.
Barca had some positive injury news on Monday with Joao Felix and Sergi Roberto passed fit, and both will be on the subs' bench on Wednesday.
Xavi is expected to bring Inigo Martinez into central defense alongside Ronald Araujo, with Andreas Christensen moving into central midfield, alongside Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Ilkay Gundogan, with Robert Lewandowski and 16-year-old Yamine Lamal leading the attack and Raphinha dropping to the subs' bench.
The extra man in midfield implies caution from Xavi, who knows how important it is to avoid a first leg defeat - both for the club's future and his own.
Related articles
Key evidence in the 'burking' murder trial was 'hidden' from defence lawyers
Key evidence which undermined the police case against a man convicted of the so-called 'burking' mur2024-05-22UN: Sudan conflict claims thousands of civilian lives, displaces millions in one year
UNITED NATIONS, April 11 (Xinhua) -- The UN Fact-Finding Mission in Sudan reports that nearly a year2024-05-22UN Security Council voices concern over killing of World Central Kitchen staff in Gaza
UNITED NATIONS, April 11 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Thursday voiced grave concern over I2024-05-22Young giant panda Qing Ci dies from rare intestinal disorder
File image of giant panda Qing Ci. (Photo from the WeChat China Conservation and Research Center fo2024-05-22Benedict Cumberbatch looks suave as he joins his co
Benedict Cumberbatch looked suave on Monday at the UK premiere of his upcoming psychological thrille2024-05-22UK PM pledges to halve inflation, boost economy
People are seen with shopping bags on a street during Boxing Day sales in London, Britain, on Dec. 22024-05-22
atest comment