Xavi: 'A draw is an unfair result for Barca'

According to coach Xavi, Barca should have won, instead of drawing 1-1 with Napoli in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 on February 21st.

"We're a little disappointed with the result," Xavi said on Amazon Prime Video Italia after the match. "Napoli were practically useless in attack, and we only gave them one chance. Barca should have won. The fairest result would have been our victory."

Xavi is in charge during the Napoli - Barcelona match in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 on February 21st at the Diego Maradona Stadium. Photo: NP

According to Xavi, after Barca took the lead and before Napoli "woke up," the players needed to find a way to finish the game. However, Barca failed to do so and allowed their opponents to equalize. The Catalan coach admitted that this is a familiar scenario in the Champions League, and he has to accept it.

Disappointed with the result, Xavi still praised the players' performance. He affirmed that Barca had improved both offensively and defensively compared to their recent form in La Liga. "The performance was more than excellent, and the only thing missing was a victory," Xavi added.

In the match on the evening of February 21st at the Diego Maradona Stadium, Barca dominated with 55% possession and 11 shots on goal. After 60 minutes, Robert Lewandowski capitalized on the visitors' advantage with the opening goal. Meanwhile, Napoli only had four shots, one of which was on target. However, from that single shot on target in the 75th minute, Victor Osimhen equalized for the home team.

On March 12th, the two teams will play the second leg at Montjuic, Barca's temporary home stadium while Camp Nou undergoes renovations. Barca's away goal at Diego Maradona Stadium no longer holds much significance, as UEFA has abolished the away goal rule.

In 2020, Barca also faced Napoli in the Round of 16 of the Champions League. The Spanish team advanced after a 1-1 draw away in the first leg, followed by a 3-1 home win in the second leg.

Thanh Quy (according to APVI )

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