Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez tried to take some of the pressure off his team facing Napoli in the Champions League after apocalyptic headlines. ‘Nobody will die tonight.’
It kicks off at the Estadi Olimpico Lluis Companys – as Camp Nou is undergoing renovations – at 20.00 GMT.
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.
The first leg ended 1-1 at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, so as there is no away goals rule in UEFA competition now, any stalemate will lead to extra time and potentially even penalties.
Xavi is missing Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Ferran Torres, Marcos Alonso, Gavi and Alejandro Balde, but surprisingly picks Pau Cubarsi in defence and Raphinha upfront rather than Joao Felix.
“I thought this was the best team for the match and the others will be important coming off the bench as the game progresses,” Xavi told Sky Sport Italia.
“I know we are missing some players, but I have the utmost faith in Fermin Lopez, Raphina, Cubarsi, who have not played as often this season, but can do well. I think Napoli have improved under Calzona and it will be an interesting match.”
It was pointed out to the coach that the headlines in this morning’s Spanish sports papers were positively apocalyptic, suggesting it was ‘win or disaster’ and ‘life or death’ for the squad. How will such young players handle this kind of pressure?
“This is Barca! It’s a big club, we know the pressure is all on me, they just need to relax, because nobody will die tonight for this match. We must play to dominate the match and bring out the best version of Barca.”