Wednesdays, early in the afternoon – usually Barcelona were either summing up the impressions from the Champions League match they had the evening before or they had their last preparations before the duel in the elite European competition. However, times have changed and the Catalans will play in the Europa League on a Thursday.Napoli will be visiting Camp Nou – and although the names imply a match of the eighth-finals of the Champions League – it will be only a derby of the second-best European competition. Regardless, such circumstances did not deprive Xavi of ambition, who spoke ahead of the new challenge.”We would like to be in the Champions League and we are angry that it is not the case, especially after watching yesterday’s matches, but we are aware that we are where we are and that winning this competition would bring us back to the elite. Barcelona never won this trophy and it is an additional motive and we are aware that Napoli are a rival full of quality.”This was a match-up of the eighth finals of the Champions League two years ago. We are candidates for the quarterfinals, but not favorites. The rival is a phenomenal team fighting for the title in Italy”, Xavi said.Barca got fancy signings but where would they be without Jong?The strategist of the Catalans has been in office for 100 days but he points out that he feels as if he has been at the Barcelona helm for 100 years.”We have to continue to improve and progress but we are on the right track. We have gone through problems with injuries and the corona virus, the January transfer window is behind us… I want to bring Barca back where it belongs, but I have a lot of work ahead of me.”I am grateful for the opportunity, I am going through situations that make me grow as a person and progress. We have progressed during these 100 days in many aspects, and that is best seen in La Liga”.Barcelona play Napoli in the first knockout round of the Europa League at Camp Nou tomorrow and they may pay close attention to one player on the opposition side. That would be Kalidou Koulibaly, who Diario Sport report Barcelona are interested in signing this summer. pic.twitter.com/P4Ox3xWP0d— Football España (@footballespana_) February 16, 2022 In January, Barcelona intensified the competition in the attack by signing Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Adama Traore, while Ferran Torres will also compete for a place in the team.”Aubameyang is training well, I am very satisfied with him, he is a true professional. Adama Traore brings us a lot, he is mature, has a great way of thinking and is a player who can decide a game. I’m also happy for Torres, I’m happy with how he manages as a center forward or a winger. His signing is a great thing for us”.Kylian Mbappe is the king of Paris! PSG edge past Real Madrid in injury timeAlong with numerous topics, Xavi also spoke about the criticism of Lionel Messi, who had a modest performance against Real Madrid in the Paris Saint-Germain shirt. Among other things he did below par, the Argentine missed a penalty.”When you are Messi and and on top of that you play for Paris Saint-Germain, it is normal to hear criticism. If you do not convert the penalty, criticism is also normal. I wish him all the best and for me he is without a doubt the best player in history,” said the Spaniard.UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE1/16 finalsThursday20:45: (1.95) Barcelona (3.60) Napoli (4.20)20:45: (2.55) Zenit (3.30) Betis (3.00)20:45: (1.37) Dortmund (5.60) Rangers (8.50)20:45: (3.80) Sheriff Tiraspol (3.20) Braga (2.10)23:00: (1.40) Sevilla (4.90) Dinamo Zagreb (9.00)23:00: (1.50) Atalanta (4.50) Olympiakos (7.25)23:00: (2.00) RB Leipzig (3.60) Sociedad (4.00)23:00: (2.00) Porto (3.60) Lazio (4.00)
