Xavi is not leaving Naples happy. Before the Champions League tie he recognized that depending on how the match went, a draw would be a good result. Returning home allowed for optimism, a priori. However, after the match and the setback of Napoli’s goal ‘in extremis’, that has changed. “Watching the game, it’s not a good result. We have improved, but the scoreboard does not prove us right. But I am very proud of what we have shown Europe. Playing like this we have a lot of chances of passing the round,” acknowledged the culé coach who looks towards Montjuïc with need and hope.
The first 30 minutes of Barça have returned the trust to the azulgranas. “We have been very good in what we had seen in the game. It has been competed very wellboth with and without balloon. By playing like this, you will win more than lose games. We had the game in our hands“, said Xavi. The turning point came with Lewandoski’s goal on the hour mark. “I think we lacked competition; with 0-1 we knew how to calm the game. Sleep the game, play in the opposite field. We dominated 75 minutes but practically in the first shot on goal they scored. There was no lack of time to calm the match. It is not a bad result, but we have forgiven a lot but we have been good in the game model,” added the resigned coach despite the good balance of the match.
I am very proud of what we have shown Europe
“I leave sad for the result, because we could have walked away with a win“Araujo lamented as soon as the duel ended. “The first half hour was very good. Now it’s our turn at home, with our people. We were doing a good defensive job, but Osimhen took advantage of what he had. We are bad for the goal, but we have shown that we are a good team. We lacked possession a bit at times. We leave with a bitter feeling, because we thought we could have taken the victory,” reinforced the Barça captain.
His announcement, a key point for Xavi
“We have to take a step forward as a team,” confessed Lewandoskwi in quite advanced Spanish. “It is important for me, with my experience, to help young people. We always expect a very good level of Pedri and I am sure that in the next game he will be able to play better,” said the forward who acknowledged that he is in good shape. “We have many young players and we have little time. “We have a lot of potential in the team and we must work for the future and for the next games.”
“Lewandowski and Pedri have taken a step forward since my announcement. The group has come together“, Xavi repeated again after the draw against Naples, who looks towards Montjuïc with the hope that the magic mountain stadium will become a fortress for the culés to get through the round. “We are going to try to get to the quarterfinals,” they agreed. Xavi and Araujo after the match, while asking for confidence for the second leg after the image shown at Diego Armando Maradona.
2024-02-21 23:13:02
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