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Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez believes Barcelona will beat Napoli in the second leg of the Europa League playoff tie, as he also stated that the match will be a test of what level they are at.
The first leg ended 1-1 at Camp Nou last week.
“Barcelona were great when we had a specific style of play and we have lost it a bit,” Xavi said at the pre-match press conference.
“We are on the way to recover it. It is a litmus test to see if we can [do it] because they are a Champions League opponent.
“Each game is a final and even more so if we haven’t done our homework from the home game.
“We have to play on their field, at [Stadio] Diego Armando Maradona. We have reasons to show that we can compete. It’s our concern because it’s the next game. [We have to go] day by day.
“They’re an opponent that has a Champions League pedigree. It’s good proof [whether] Barcelona can compete in Europe against a strong club.
“I think they will put high pressure on us, it will be difficult to play in the opponent’s half because they are a very physical rival.”
Xavi admits that it would be a big disappointment to be knocked out at this stage of the competition.
“It would be a big disappointment to be eliminated,” he said. “We are going to be optimistic.
“We competed very well in the first leg and now we have to play here.
“If we are at the level of the Barcelona that we are seeing lately, we have a good chance.
“I predict a very tough game.”
