The Spanish champion won 3-1 at the Olympic Stadium to seal a 4-2 aggregate win against last year’s Serie A winner, returning to the last eight for the first time since 2020.
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said beating Napoli to reach the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals on Tuesday was one of his finest minutes in his post.
The Spanish winner won 3-1 at the Olympic Stadium to seal a 4-2 total win against final year’s Serie A victor, returning to the final eight for the to begin with time since 2020.
“There has been a parcel of out of line feedback, (that we were) the joke of the Champions Association, we had to play with that pressure,” Xavi told a news conference.
“We had to be way better than Napoli and we were, it’s a more than merited capability, it’s one of my best minutes as Barcelona coach.”
The coach said he would not alter his intellect almost clearing out at the conclusion of the season, a choice he took in January. Since at that point the group has gone nine matches unbeaten.
Centre-back Pau Cubarsi, 17, was given the player of the coordinate grant and Xavi showered commend on the youthful guard, key in later weeks.
“He’s a exceptionally judicious kid, he’s got a parcel of brains, he’s persistent, he’s exceptionally humble, he needs to improve,” said Xavi.
“His sudden rise is brilliant for Barcelona and Spanish football — we’re looking at a top-level shield for a long time to come.”
Like Xavi, Cubarsi said this was a coordinate to keep in mind. “This has been one of the best days of my life,” Cubarsi told Movistar.
“The group merits this player of the coordinate trophy, I’m so upbeat, but we’re a group.”
The triumph moreover implies additional wage for Barcelona, which has been battling fiscally recently.
The Catalan club is unbeaten in six gatherings with Napoli in all competitions.
It battled to keep the Italian side from undermining after taking the early lead at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. Goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, making his 100th UEFA appearance, was tried frequently by Napoli’s attack.
Barcelona had a few chances to increment its lead on counterattacks some time recently Lewandowski fixed the win from near run in the 83rd after an help by substitute Roberto. Lewandowski has scored 13 objectives in his final 13 knockout arrange recreations in the Champions League.
López put the has ahead with a shot from the center of the range in the 15th miniature after a moo cross by Raphinha, who moreover set up Cancelo’s objective two minutes afterward. The Brazil forward hit the post from interior the zone and the ball bounced back for an simple strike by Cancelo.
Napoli got on the board in the 30th with Rrahmani finding the net with a moo left-footed shot for his to begin with European goal.
“We gave them as well much space, we misplaced ownership frequently, we begun with the off-base demeanor and didn’t guard well,” Napoli coach Francesco Calzona said.
Barcelona young person Lamine Yamal had a objective denied for offside in the 68th.
The final time Barcelona played in the quarterfinals it had too dispensed with Napoli 4-2 on total in the circular of 16.
Xavi still couldn’t check on a few players since of wounds, counting Pedri, Frenkie De Jong and Ferran Torres. He played with 17-year-old Pau Cubarsí as a central shield, and the youngster was named the man of the coordinate as he made a difference contain Napoli’s assault in his European debut.
The other groups that have progressed to the final eight incorporate Genuine Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City. Know More Latest Football News…
