Xavi hails Barcelona pair for ‘stepping up’ after Napoli draw

Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernández has this evening singled two headline members of his squad out for special praise.

As much, of course, comes fresh off Barca’s latest outing.

The Catalans marked their return to action on the continent a short time ago, making the trip to Italy for the first leg of the club’s Champions League Last-16 showdown with Serie A champions Napoli.

When all was said and done, Xavi and co. departed the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with a credible draw, after Victor Osimhen cancelled out Robert Lewandowski’s opener late in proceedings.

Based on the balance of play, though, Barcelona will likely come away from Naples feeling altogether aggrieved.

This comes with the La Liga giants having dominated when it comes to possession and shots at goal alike, with Osimhen’s finish having come from Napoli’s only clear-cut chance of the night.

Speaking to the media post-match, it therefore came as little surprise to see Xavi in less than positive mood.

Drawn on his side’s shortcomings on Wednesday, Barca’s headmaster was quick to highlight their season-long inability to be ‘effective’ when it matters most:

“It has been the case for the whole season, we haven’t been effective. I have a bittersweet feeling. We should have won the match, it was in our hands. We played well.”

And yet, as alluded to above, Xavi was nevertheless keen to make his appreciation clear for two of the Blaugrana’s star performers.

The players in question? Pedri, and Robert Lewandowski.

“Players like Pedri and Lewandowski are in good form,” he began. “They have taken a step forward since I announced my decision [to depart].”

Conor Laird | GSFN