Current location:Culture Craft news portal > opinions
Much at stake for Barca, Xavi in Napoli trip
Culture Craft news portal2024-04-30 13:34:49【opinions】8People have gathered around
IntroductionFC 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.
Address of this article:http://france.downmusic.org/html-20b599958.html
Very good!(9)
Related articles
- NFL teams pick up 5th
- Roundup: Establishment of diplomatic ties with China applauded across Honduras
- Comicomment: 'Summit for Democracy' not about democracy
- UN chief applauds formation of transitional council in Haiti
- Former NSA worker gets nearly 22 years in prison for selling secrets to undercover FBI agent
- UN chief to meet Ukrainian president in Kyiv
- UN chief calls for reaching consensus on climate actions at COP27
- Xi Sends Condolences to Iranian President over Serious Terror Attacks
- EU, Finnish leaders call for de
- Shanghai real estate company faces $1.2 mln fines for multiple violations
Popular articles
Recommended
This summer, John Krasinski makes one for the kids with the imaginary friend fantasy ‘IF’
American democracy in terminal decline
UN responds to devastating ferry tragedy in Mozambique
China's gross marine product exceeds 9 trillion yuan in 2023
At least 40 people die in Kenya after dam collapses
CPC Leadership Hears Work Reports
The Latest: UN chief calls for restraint after Iran's retaliatory attacks on Israel
Huawei opens 2nd store in Saudi Arabia
Links
- Liaoning withstand Shanxi rally to win in OT
- Oklahoma family whose pet octopus laid FIFTY eggs reveals how they're looking after the consortium
- Biden administration announces new partnership with 50 countries to stifle future pandemics
- Coachella food prices SHOCK fans as festival
- China reaps fruits far beyond ice
- China's Wang goes top in ITTF world rankings
- Dallas TikTok star Camryn Herriage speaks for the first time after hit
- Beijing film fest unveils jury, film lineup and key highlights
- Game on for tourism bureaus across China after Harbin travel frenzy
- 70 countries, regions to participate in int'l travel trade fair in SW China