After reaching the final eight of the Champions League for the first time since 2020, the Blaugrana have nothing to lose and a lot to gain.
There is little question that Barcelona’s 3-1 victory against Napoli in the Champions League knockout rounds was significant in the context of Xavi’s career. Despite having already won one major award, he need this demonstration of strength in continental competition. Barcelona did as well.
No team has a divine right to succeed, even if there are serial champions. But Barcelona, as a brand, squad, and institution, feels too enormous to wait on the sidelines while the season’s greatest games go place. However, the Catalans have seen little but failure in Europe in recent years.
Not since Lionel Messi stood before the Camp Nou prior to the 2018-19 season, promising the club would win the Champions League, have they been serious challengers. A legendary collapse at Anfield in 2019, the infamous battering at the hands of Bayern Munich in 2020, and consecutive group-stage exits in 2022 and 2023 made the Blaugrana a laughing stock in Europe.
The game with Napoli, then, was a chance to show that the Blaugrana can – if only temporarily – recover on club football’s biggest stage. And there was enough about Barca here to suggest that they might just be able to do something special in this season’s Champions League – even if they remain massive underdogs.
The Blaugrana were convincing at both ends of the pitch, utilising a blend of exciting youth and timely experience to piece together a composed win. And although they may not be widely back to progress past the quarter-finals, this youthful team seems set to finally give Cules something to get excited about.
A solid performance
A fair criticism of Barca this season – regardless of the result – has been the poor quality of their performances. This isn’t necessarily a new thing. Barca weren’t particularly watchable last year, their European-best defence carrying them to a league title, rather than the magical tiki-taka football associated with the club. Only this campaign, their legs have gone, their injuries have multiplied and the goals against tally has sky-rocketed.
But there was a real bounce to Barca here. They scored twice within 17 minutes, Fermin Lopez bagging the first, and Joao Cancelo scoring the second. Raphinha played chief orchestrator of both, assisting one and seeing his fizzing effort ping off the post and into the feet of Cancelo – who couldn’t miss from a tight angle.
After that – and for long stretches throughout – it was all about Yamal. The winger cut, chopped and cut again on the wing, creating chances for an active Barca front line. Napoli were good value for their goal when Amir Rrahmani sauntered into the box and finished on the half hour mark. But the Blaugrana were otherwise relatively untroubled, surviving a scare or two yet staying in control throughout. Their late third was perhaps overdue – but entirely deserved.
Lamine Yamal: The Messi regen?
Yamal was always likely to be the difference-maker here. The 16-year-old winger has been Barca’s most dangerous attacking threat for months, scoring six goals and assisting seven to round off a memorable start to life in Catalonia. And while he didn’t find the scoresheet here, Yamal was at the centre of all the good things Xavi’s side did.
He made Mario Rui’s life a nightmare throughout, a blur of sharp cuts and deft turns often fooling one of the most experienced players on the pitch. And he will need to do more of the same going forward. Perhaps Yamal’s best skill is his relentless unpredictability. He can go left or right, cut onto either foot, and exploit the smallest of spaces. The Lionel Messi label might be unfair, but no one can quite figure out Europe’s brightest talent.
Xavi will have to manage his minutes carefully here. Perhaps he is benched more regularly in La Liga to keep him fresh for European competition. He should probably get the occasional night off. Either way, there’s a real star power about Adidas’ latest signee. When he’s on the pitch, Barca always have a chance.
Fermin Lopez: the midfield engine
Lopez offers something different. He was a surprise inclusion in Barca’s preseason squad, and worked his way into the first team largely thanks to a memorable long-range strike in a summer Clasico that tied up a resounding victory. His performances have been admittedly mixed, the buzzing midfielder falling in and out of the starting line-up.
But against Napoli he was at something nearing his best. He managed an hour of relentless running, finishing his shift with only 39 touches, but two chances created, and one wonderfully taken goal. On another night – with a more clinical aim – he could have scored three.
His spot would seem to be up in the air. Frenkie de Jong and Pedri are working their way back from injuries, and a full-strength Barca would seem to include both of them over the vibrant youngster. But even if he is to function in a reserve role, the academy graduate has the kind of energy, creativity and drive that can change a game.
Pau Cubarsi: the next great centre-back?
Cubarsi is the surprise actor here. Not highly regarded until recently, the lanky centre-back has revived a beleaguered and shaky back-line. He offers something different to the physical and embattled Ronald Araujo. Cubarsi is all about finesse. An excellent passer of the ball and refined dribbler, he serves as the connective tissue between an often rigid Barca defence and active midfield unit.
But against Napoli he played the role of bruiser, turning in a memorable man-of-the-match performance in his first Champions League start. The centre-back won 100 percent of his aerial duels, completed 90% of his passes, created one chance, made three clearances, five defensive recoveries, and almost completely nullified one of Europe’s most highly rated No.9s in Victor Osimhen.
There are still some inconsistencies to his game. For all of his composure on the ball, Cubarsi can be rather erratic off it. A harsher VAR official might have seen him give up a penalty at a crucial juncture in the second leg.
Still, Barca might just have their centre-back pairing of the future set up before them. His partner summed it up. “Pau Cubarsi is spectacular. We complement each other very well, and we hope it lasts for many years. He’s the future of the club,” Araujo said.
Those who might return
And then there remains the question of who might be able to feature in the weeks to come. The March international break arrives at a good time for the Baluragana, giving Xavi ample opportunity to see some key names recover from various knocks.
Pedri, in particular, might benefit from a few weeks off. He picked up yet another hamstring injury in early March. But the club revealed that the pull isn’t as serious as first thought, opening up the possibility for a return for the quarter-finals.
De Jong’s case is harder to judge. The floaty midfielder suffered his second ankle sprain of the season in the first half of Barca’s clash with Athletic Club on March 3. Last time, he needed nearly three months to return to fitness. A month-long layoff has been suggested, but with the first legs set for April 10, he might face a race against time to be at full strength.
Barca seem near-certain, though, to recover Ferran Torres. ‘The Shark’ has been a surprise contributor for the Blaugrana this season, sneakily tallying 11 goals in all competitions despite starting just 16 games, but has been out longer than expected with a hamstring problem.
However, the word is that he could feature in Sunday’s Liga showdown with Atletico Madrid, which would be a timely boost for Barca, given his ability to impact games.
Xavi’s last stand
The questions about Xavi’s future won’t suddenly go away. Regardless of the roars of the Olympic Stadium, the anticipation of the fans, or the ultimate excitement set to come with playing a first Champions League quarter-final since 2019, Xavi will still depart at the end of the season.
He has made it clear on numerous occasions that he has no intention of reversing his decision – and has even issued daunting warnings to potential successors.
His Barca legacy is perhaps already secure. Xavi’s original remit was to bring a top-flight trophy back to Catalonia. He did just that last year. The club legend was never going to resign last July, or walk away when something was brewing. But he should still be remembered as the man who – albeit briefly – reversed Blaugrana fortunes.
And perhaps, if the draw goes well, and his kids stand up, he might just be able to provide something resembling a perfect parting gift. He and Barca have nothing to lose. And that could at least bring some joy back to a club that has been short of it in recent months.
