Napoli visit begins Xavi’s final chance of Barca pride

BARCELONA – Xavi Hernandez left Barcelona in 2015 after lifting a glorious treble, but his hopes of a second triumphant farewell – this time as their coach – have been whittling away.

The former midfielder’s last real chance of silverware this season is in the Champions League, with the Catalans visiting Napoli in a last-16, first-leg clash on Feb 21.

After his team were thrashed by Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final and knocked out of the Spanish King’s Cup,

Xavi said he would leave his job at the end of the season.

Third in La Liga and eight points off leaders Real, it seems like only a European run can bring the beleaguered Spanish champions some respite.

However, the club’s travails on the continent in recent years do not bode well, with humiliating losses to Roma, Liverpool, Bayern Munich still vivid memories.

The last time the Catalans managed to get their hands on the Champions League was back in 2015, with Xavi lifting the trophy.

Then 35, Xavi tearfully departed after 17 seasons at the top level with Barcelona, expecting that a team powered by Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez could go on to dominate European football for years to come.

Instead, the project crumbled under the weight of mismanagement and heaving salaries and Barcelona have been sinking ever since, with Xavi called in to rescue the team as coach in November 2021.

Although he led Barcelona to win the La Liga title last season, the football did not convince and this term the team have stalled, leading Xavi to announce his second exit.

Barcelona players are also conscious the Champions League offers them a chance to snatch at rapidly fading chances of glory.

“When the music rings out... that energy, that desire, we have to go out there pumped up,” defender Ronald Araujo said this week.

“I know the importance of it, and what the Champions League represents for a player and for the club. We have responsibilities.”

Striker Robert Lewandowski has found form at a crucial moment of the season, with four goals in his last three games.

“We’ve been working very hard this week, I think we can do better in the Champions League,” said the Polish star.

“In Napoli we have to play for 90 minutes well in defence and attack.”

Napoli forwards Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will relish facing a Barcelona defence which has caved in badly this campaign, but the Italian champions are in turmoil too as they struggle badly in Serie A.

The team have appointed Francesco Calzona as caretaker manager after the sacking of Walter Mazzarri on Feb 19, who became the second managerial casualty at the club this campaign following Rudi Garcia’s axing in November.

Napoli’s league title defence has fallen apart since Luciano Spalletti left the club after the Scudetto win, with the side languishing in ninth place in the standings, 27 points behind leaders Inter Milan.

Calzona, who has guided Slovakia to Euro 2024, has been tasked by outspoken club owner Aurelio de Laurentiis with giving Napoli’s army of fans “something extra” to get them back onside.

The clash will be a tale of two coaches, who will be giving it their all in the Champions League.
AFP, REUTERS