Xavi: 'It's a wonderful stage for playing a great game'

Just under 24 hours to go before kick off at the Stadi Diego Armando Maradona and FC Barcelona's coach addressed the media at the pre-match press conference, confirming that "the team is ready and excited to play a Champions League knockout round again".

Desire among the team

The Catalan coach highlighted the dressing room's "hopes and desire to qualify for the quarterfinals". This would mean overcoming the current Italian champions, Napoli, and the first leg of the challenge is being played at a venue that Xavi considers is "a wonderful stage for playing a great game".

Xavi was quick to dispel any idea of favourites, stating "the knockout tie is 50-50", while going on to say that tomorrow's game should "be enjoyed, but that the main thing is to compete".

The blaugranes will want to come away with a positive result, but they already know that nothing will be decided tomorrow, the coach going on to say that "we have to prepare for the game knowing that another 90 minutes are to come at Montjuïc. However, this doesn't change our DNA. You have to defend well and keep possession. We are going out to win", he confirmed.

Napoli unsettled prior to the game

A win would mean the blaugranes overcoming last season's Serie A winners, even though they are not going through the best of times at present. In fact, Napoli changed coach just 48 hours before the game. Xavi acknowledged that is somewhat disconcerting and that "how the game will go tomorrow is not very clear".

What is clear, though, is that they have talent in their ranks, Xavi highlighting the quality "of Osimhen and Kvaratshkelia, which is why defending properly is essential".