Your current location:HOME >opinions >Much at stake for Barca, Xavi in Napoli trip 正文
TIME:2024-05-22 01:45:25 Source: Internet compilationEdit:opinions
FC Barcelona travel for one of the most important games of their season when they face Napoli in the
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.
Storms damage homes in Oklahoma and Kansas. But in Houston, most power is restored2024-05-22 01:23
Royal Bank of Scotland to close 18 more branches with the loss of 105 jobs2024-05-22 00:38
Bill Tobin, a longtime NFL executive who helped build the 1985 Bears championship team, has died2024-05-22 00:32
FAU hires Isaiah Austin, whose NBA playing plans were derailed, as an assistant coach2024-05-22 00:29
Target to lower prices on basic goods in response to inflation2024-05-22 00:28
Olympic torch makes Acropolis overnight stop a week before handover to Paris organizers2024-05-22 00:10
American Express, Fifth Third rise; Netflix, PPG Industries fall, Friday, 4/18/20242024-05-22 00:04
Tory Susan Hall closes the gap on Sadiq Khan with a fortnight until London mayoral election2024-05-22 00:03
Tamara Ecclestone is criticised as her daughter Fifi, 10, heads out wearing heavy make2024-05-22 00:00
Owner of Bob Baffert2024-05-21 23:37
Student fatally shot, suspect detained at Georgia's Kennesaw State University2024-05-22 01:26
Video of 2 bear cubs pulled from trees prompts North Carolina wildlife investigation but no charges2024-05-22 01:19
Prosecutor won't bring charges against Wisconsin lawmaker over fundraising scheme2024-05-22 01:05
NHL PLAYOFFS: West best Dallas vs. defending champion Vegas headlines 1st2024-05-22 00:46
Scottie Scheffler's Louisville court date postponed after arrest during PGA Championship2024-05-22 00:35
Mother of nine2024-05-21 23:42
Collin Morikawa part of 42024-05-21 23:31
Judge drops some charges against ex2024-05-21 23:23
Sports betting roundup: Xander Schauffele's final putt pays off for bettors2024-05-21 23:18
The EPA is again allowing summer sales of higher ethanol gasoline blend, citing global conflicts2024-05-21 23:14