Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has revealed that Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League home clash between Barcelona and Napoli is the most important fixture for the Spanish side so far this season. The two teams clash once again a fortnight after the first leg at the Diego Maradona Stadium in Italy ended 1-1.

With the absence of the away goal rule, the second leg fixture remains in balance for either side to win and move through to the quarterfinal of the competition. Barcelona went into the fixture with three wins and two draws in their last five games in all competitions, but they have a tangible number of injury problems, with a couple of key players unavailable for Tuesday’s fixture.

Players like Frankie de Jong, Gavi, Pedro, Alejandro Balde, and Ferran Torres are completely unavailable for selection, but Xavi says the injury problems will not be an excuse for the team, and they’ll be going to be a fixture with enthusiasm and hopes of making it into the next stage after three underwhelming seasons in Europe.

“Is this the most important match of the season? Yes, it is, and we are prepared with enthusiasm. It’s been four years since we’ve been in the quarterfinals, and that’s how we approach it. We want to compete against an opponent who, even though they’re not in the best moment, has the foundation of the Serie A champion. We need a full stadium. It’s an opportunity to reach the quarterfinals, a chance to turn the tables. Absences are not an excuse; we don’t fear failure but rather the opportunity to compete in front of our fans.” Xavi said.

Barcelona is in third position behind Real Madrid and Girona on the La Liga table, with 8 points between Barcelona and Real Madrid. With ten matches left in the season, the UEFA Champions League seems like Xavi’s only chance of exiting Barcelona on the high with a trophy after revealing earlier that this season will be his final for Barcelona as he intends to exit the club in the summer.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu