Xavi Hernandez confident of Barcelona getting past Napoli after ‘undeserved’ draw

NAPLES – Xavi Hernandez is optimistic of Barcelona reaching the Champions League quarter-finals, despite watching his dominant team held 1-1 at Napoli in the first leg of their last-16 clash on Feb 21.

Barcelona were the better team for large parts of the game in Naples but return to Spain level after Victor Osimhen snatched a draw with the hosts’ only shot on target.

Xavi’s team, who scored through Robert Lewandowski, created more chances and were agonisingly close to getting a last-gasp win when Ilkay Gundogan’s low shot whizzed just wide.

“Playing like this, we have a good chance of going through. We played well in attack and defence, and after the goal we created more chances,” the Barcelona coach said.

“We deserved to win but this is the Champions League, if you give them a space then you can be punished.

“It’s a shame that the result didn’t reflect the play. But I’m satisfied because we applied what we have worked on. I’m proud of the image the squad gave of itself. We’re ready to compete in the return leg.”

Third in the La Liga standings and eight points behind leaders Real Madrid, Barcelona were playing their first Champions League knockout match for three years.

Napoli were led by new coach Francesco Calzona with their Serie A title defence in tatters as they languish ninth in the league standings.

Last season’s Spanish and Italian champions are both struggling domestically this campaign and it was Napoli who were more frustrated by Barcelona’s high pressing, missing simple passes and gifting the ball to the visitors.

Gundogan twice shot wide for Barcelona before Poland striker Lewandowski broke the deadlock in the 60th minute.

He received a pass from Pedri just inside the box and made space to unleash a bullet strike into the bottom corner of the net.

That woke Napoli up and Nigerian Osimhen, playing his first game since the Africa Cup of Nations, equalised 15 minutes later with a fine swivelling strike from inside the box to leave the tie evenly poised ahead of the return leg on March 12.

Calzona was happy with the result of his first match, which he prepared for hurriedly after becoming the Italian champions’ third coach of the season only on Feb 19.

“What I liked best was the desire to get back into the game. We need to work on tactical things, but I also got good responses from the substitutes, so I’m happy,” he said.

“We could have lost but we drew, and we even had a chance to win. We struggled at the start but I really liked the spirit... The players gave their heart and soul to avoid defeat against a very strong opponent. So I’m pleased.

“Playing against Barca is difficult for everyone but the draw keeps us in it. We want to go through because Napoli have to have that ambition. It will be a difficult match for us (in the return leg).” REUTERS, AFP