It’s a 50-50 fixture, Xavi foresees no favourite in Barcelona vs Napoli clash

Xavi Hernandez believes there’s no favourite in the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16 clash between Barcelona and Napoli on Tuesday.

After playing a 1-1 draw at the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 22, Xavi enjoined Barcelona fans to make the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys unbearable for Napoli.

“There are no favourites, it’s 50-50. The crowd must support us and think the stadium must be like a pressure cooker. We must show our identity and have personality,” Xavi said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

The 44-year-old added, “I expect a proud Napoli that builds up from the back press high with no speculation. They have high individual quality.

“Napoli’s three attacking players are of high level. It’s a big game against a big club, the defending Italian champions.

“They have improved with a new coach, they are more dynamic. We are dealing with important injuries, but we must compete. We were better than them in Naples and must be better here.”

Lamine Yamal’s 73rd-minute strike helped Barcelona claim a 1-0 victory over Real Mallorca on Friday, while Napoli were held to a 1-1 draw by Torino on the same day.