Xavi insists Barcelona ‘dominated’ the 1-1 draw with Napoli, he agrees with the penalty call and believes they should’ve ‘won by more than two clear goals.’
Piotr Zielinski had opened the scoring for the Partenopei at Camp Nou in the first leg of this Europa League play-off, cancelled out by a penalty when the Adama Traore cross grazed the fingertips of Juan Jesus.
“All we lacked was the finishing,” said the coach in his press conference.
Europa League | Barcelona 1-1 Napoli: Partenopei silence Camp Nou
“We moved the ball around well and had 20 scoring opportunities, seven of them really clear-cut. Considering the way we played, we deserved the victory, even by more than two clear goals.
“We are in the Europa League, it is not a friendly, so the result is insufficient, but I am happy with the performance.
“It’s a pity we didn’t transform our domination into more goals. The lads played a fluid style of football, we attacked to the end and tried in every way to score.”
Having said all that, there were real doubts over the penalty, as the Traore cross didn’t seem to change direction after it grazed a fingertip and the arm was in a fairly natural position.
“I don’t like the new rules,” added Xavi. “In my opinion, all handballs should be penalised. You can’t use your feet in basketball, so you can’t use your hands in football.
“As for the Napoli goal, the offside rule on interfering with play is absurd, but we accept those are the rules. What I would introduce is some way of timing the actual football played, so it would wipe out simulation and time-wasting.”
Ferran Torres converted the spot-kick, but he also wasted numerous chances to score from open play.
“I am very happy that he is playing for Barcelona and hope he will be here for a long time. We must have faith, I’m sure he will score many goals. The Barcelona jersey weighs more heavily than others, but he should know that he has our absolute trust.”
The away goals rule no longer applies in Europe this season, so the 1-1 home result isn’t as bad for Barcelona as it would’ve been.
“It’s a pity we aren’t going to Naples with at least a one-goal advantage, but the sensations are very positive. If we continue like this, we will win many games.”
As a Napoli fan, he’s not wrong. They easily could have won by 3 goals. Napoli didn’t look strong in the first half and were abysmal in the second half. They are going have to change a lot in a week in order to not be blown out at home next Thursday.
All we lacked is finishing, gee that is everything in life let alone soccer. Just like the Spanish national team. After that statement u can see the difference.
Yah, right. It should have been a million to one. PUHleeze!
Napoli should have been given a penalty – Oshimen was taken down in the box. The ref was too busy running the opposite way and not paying attention to the game. The slight touch of the ball by Juan Jesus should not have been a penalty. So all in all – Napoli 3 and I’ll give Barcelona 2. Napoli should have won 3-2.
Napoli should have been given a Penalty for foul on Oshimen. The penalty on Juan Jesus was ridiculous. This penalty changed the way the game was played. Napoli knew what they were doing – they don’t have a deep bench. Score early and score twice is you’re lucky and then defend.
Leave it to the Spsnish to express sentiments of entitlement.
Barcelona played well in the 2nd half. The pendly awarded yo Barcelona was bogus.
Supporting Napoli for the 2nd leg in Italy.
Correction: Spanish…
Vittorio speaking facts.
@Barca Fc, absolutely spot on, Apart from the penalty, Meret only made 1 save which was in the first half. Napoli had 2 shots on target (3 if you include Zielinski’s double take) and Oshimen should have received a penalty. That would make it 3-2 so not sure how Xavi calculates 2 clear goal win from that?