We’re ready for Napoli, Xavi assures after Mallorca win 

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has confirmed his side’s readiness for Napoli ahead of their UEFA Champions League (UCL) round of 16 second-leg clash at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys next week Tuesday.

Speaking in his post-match review after Lamine Yamal’s 73rd-minute strike secured all maximum points for Barça against Mallorca, Xavi who observed a touchline suspension said his team has found form.

“We played very well in defence. In three consecutive clean sheets, teams have created very few chances against us, and that’s positive,” the Spaniard told Barcelona’s media on the La Liga win.

Xavi on teenagers Pau Cubarsí and Lamine Yamal

“They are two players that stand out because they make a difference. Cubarsí plays like a veteran. He was up against two towers today in Muriqi and Larin, but he didn’t lose a single duel, and that’s spectacular for a 17-year-old. Lamine didn’t have his best game of the season today, but still made all the difference.

“We are talking about two players who are going to be part of an era at this club, although that’s not to say that the others played badly. The likes of Gundogan and Iñigo Martínez also had great games.”

Xavi on Barcelona vs Napoli

The first leg of the fixture saw Victor Osimhen cancel Robert Lewandowski’s goal, as both teams settled for a 1-1 draw at the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 22.

“Tuesday will be a very different game” Xavi continued. “Napoli won’t have a five-man defence like Mallorca did. They’re not comparable, it’s a different stage, but the team is playing very competitive football right now. We are ready to compete on Tuesday.

“The team has found form and is looking solvent, we have got more balance now, and in the Champions League, you pay dearly for every goal you concede.

“As for the league, it’s important for us to continue putting pressure on our rivals. Right now we are second and that’s good news, and five behind Real Madrid, albeit provisionally. At least we have done our duty.

“But Barça can now put Liga to one side and start thinking about the Champions League and making sure that Tuesday’s game is not the last in this year’s edition,” he concluded.