Three unknowns for Naples

Xavi is at that moment that the coaches describe as “ideal”, but it is really difficult to know if it is so ideal. He has good raw material to choose from, but that forces him to make decisions. Those that he has to assume with a view to the eleven that will play in Naples are delicate. But it will be interesting to see how it handles in this scenario. a priori, and if you respect the 4-3-3 with extremes that he only ‘betrayed’ in the match against Atlético de Madrid (then he played with four midfielders: Busquets, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Gavi), he will have to rule out Adama or Dembélé at one of the ends; and the Dutchman or the youngster from Los Palacios and Villafranca in midfield. The sites of Sergio Busquets, Pedri, Ferran and Aubameyang seem safe.

It could be presumed that, by gallons, De Jong is ahead of the youth squad; and that Adama, who was a substitute at Mestalla, arrives rested at the Stadio Diego Maradona match. But, at this point, no one should be sure of being in eleven. It cannot even be ruled out that Xavi opts for the four midfielders and draws a system with only one pure winger (Ferran or Adama); and a nine (Aubameyang or Ferran). Unknowns that mean that Barça has won the wardrobe and, above all, quality and dynamite. The azulgrana have tried 37 shots in the last three games, at an average of more than 12. Of course, against Napoli, Barça tried it 21 times and they only found their way to the goal thanks to a controversial penalty that Ferran converted. To be in the round of 16 of the Europa League, his percentage of success will have to be more similar to what he had against Atlético and Valencia.

In the center of defense, there are fewer doubts. The return of Piqué, sanctioned until Valencia, will allow him to team up again with Araújo, who endured the Mestalla battle. Alba is indisputable on the left. The third doubt of the eleven has to do with the right side. Mingueza, more hesitant as a central defender in Valencia, competed well in the first leg. But Dest has also raised the bar. Barça’s performance in recent games, their alternatives in the line-up, and Napoli’s loss problems, allow Xavi’s team to travel to Italy optimistically. But behind there are many European hits in recent years and nobody trusts.