The latest comments on the part of Barcelona head coach Xavi have piqued widespread attentions on Monday afternoon.
This comes after the Spanish tactician provided an insight into which member of upcoming opponents Napoli’s squad he is most appreciative of.
Barcelona are of course primed to lock horns with Italian champions Napoli in a little over 24 hours’ time, in the 2nd leg of the Champions League Last-16 tie between the clubs.
The clash marks nothing short of a must-win for the Blaugrana, in the knowledge that a deep European run could well make up for what has proven an underwhelming domestic campaign to date.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference this afternoon, the aforementioned Xavi was therefore drawn on a whole host of noteworthy topics, not least the players whom his side must keep the closest eye on on Tuesday night.
The widespread assumption would of course have been that Barca’s boss would opt for one of Victor Osimhen or Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Napoli’s star attacking duo.
Asked directly which member of the Partenopei’s squad he feels possesses the qualities required to succeed at a club of Barcelona’s stature, though, Xavi opted for a different name, in the form of Stanislav Lobotka:
“The one player I like most from Napoli? Lobotka. I think he has a good enough level to play for a club like Barça.”
Conor Laird | GSFN
