Injuries no excuse against Napoli: Barca coach Xavi / Photo: Josep LAGO - AFP
-
UBS smashes forecasts with $1.4 bn net profit
-
Chinese EV giant BYD beats Tesla in quarterly revenue for first time
-
US economic growth solid but below expectations as election nears
-
Jurgen Klopp to target player welfare in Red Bull role
-
Volkswagen sees 'painful' cost cuts ahead as profit plunges
-
Spain races to save victims as floods kill 62
-
Tuberculosis cases hit record high: WHO
-
Bangladesh stumble to 38-4 in reply to mammoth South Africa total
-
Volcanoes 'hidden source' of CO2 in past climate change: study
-
Stocks falter, bitcoin close to record high
-
Eurozone economy grows faster than expected
-
Mediators to propose Gaza truce amid deadly Israeli strikes
-
China's Hisense first sponsor of new Club World Cup
-
Georgia prosecutors probe alleged election 'falsification'
-
New Zealand's Ajaz 'emotional' on Mumbai return after perfect 10
-
Germany dodges recession, posts surprise growth on spending boost
-
Trump, Harris in frantic campaign push as US election nears
-
De Zorzi out for 177 as S. Africa power to 527-6 against Bangladesh
-
Worries for Japan economy after election shock
-
Israel short on soldiers after year of war
-
Volkswagen profit plunges on high costs, Chinese slump
-
De Zorzi out for 177 as S.Africa power to 413-5 against Bangladesh
-
'CEO of supercute': Hello Kitty turns 50
-
Australia head coach McDonald handed new deal until 2027
-
Visual artist grabs 'decisive moment' to nurture Chad art scene
-
Industrial slump leaves Germany on brink of recession
-
'I'm terrified': French auteur Audiard hits Oscars trail for 'Emilia Perez'
-
New Indonesia defence chief harks back to dictator's rule
-
In Tennessee, the despair of gun control advocates
-
US economy's solid growth unlikely to register at ballot box
-
'A treasure': Japan's Ohtani a hometown hero win or lose in World Series
-
Botswana votes with ruling party seeking to extend six decades of power
-
Bitcoin close to record as cautious markets eye US election
-
Hometown hero Volpe lives dream with grand slam for Yankees
-
Rested relief pitchers please Roberts even after Dodgers defeat
-
UK's Labour govt prepares to deliver decisive first budget
-
Beijing files WTO complaint over EU's new taxes on Chinese EVs
-
Volpe's grand slam helps Yankees avoid World Series sweep
-
Taiwan battens down for Super Typhoon Kong-rey
-
MotoGP world title in sight as Martin, Bagnaia set for Sepang duel
-
'New wave' as start-up sweeps up Thai ocean plastic
-
Botswana votes with ruling party aiming to extend six decades of power
-
How harmful are microplastics to human health?
-
Are bioplastics really the wonder alternative to petro plastics?
-
EU's extra tariffs of up to 35.3% on Chinese EVs angers Beijing
-
Rumble in the Jungle remembered after 50 years
-
Trump risks backlash with anti-trans ads targeting Harris
-
Alzheimer's patient 'relieved' at Quebec's assisted suicide policy shift
-
Who should get paid for nature's sequenced genes?
-
Bodies found as torrential rains slam Spain
NYSE - LSE
| CMSD | -0.16% | 24.84 | $ | |
| NGG | -1.35% | 65.12 | $ | |
| BCE | -0.71% | 32.46 | $ | |
| BCC | -5.3% | 131.64 | $ | |
| SCS | -3.11% | 12.21 | $ | |
| RIO | 0.6% | 66.58 | $ | |
| BTI | -1.31% | 34.46 | $ | |
| GSK | 0.76% | 38.17 | $ | |
| BP | -5.76% | 29.36 | $ | |
| CMSC | -0.65% | 24.57 | $ | |
| RBGPF | 100% | 62.35 | $ | |
| RYCEF | 0.55% | 7.25 | $ | |
| JRI | -0.69% | 12.98 | $ | |
| AZN | -1.05% | 75.22 | $ | |
| VOD | -2.8% | 9.28 | $ | |
| RELX | -0.52% | 47.91 | $ |
Injuries no excuse against Napoli: Barca coach Xavi
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said his team's injury woes are no excuse ahead of the clash with Napoli on Tuesday night in the Champions League.
The Catalans are aiming to reach the quarter-finals of the competition they last won in 2015, with the tie level at 1-1 after the first leg in Italy.
Xavi is missing three key midfielders in Pedri, Gavi and Frenkie de Jong, as well as Ferran Torres and Alejandro Balde.
However the coach said his team could not use that as mitigation for failure and demanded a "magic night" at the club's temporary Olympic Stadium home on the city's Montjuic hill.
"It's the moment to be able to reach the quarter-finals, for four years we haven't got to the last eight of the Champions League, I see it as an opportunity," said the coach.
"It's true that we have players out, but it's not an excuse. It's an opportunity."
The coach announced in January that he would leave Barcelona at the end of the season, and the Champions League is a final chance to go out on a high.
Despite leading Barcelona to the Spanish title last season, Barca are off the pace in third in La Liga, out of the Copa del Rey and were thrashed by Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup.
"I am not the important thing here, the club is the important thing -- I have an expiry date," continued Xavi.
"With Barcelona united, with the stadium full, we have to live a magic night."
Xavi said there were no favourites in the tie and that he thought it was "50-50", although home advantage could tilt the match Barcelona's way.
"It has to be a pressure cooker," added Xavi.
"The players have to feel the support of the fans."
The team have struggled badly in defence for the majority of the season but have now kept three clean sheets in a row.
Young centre-back Pau Cubarsi, 17, has become a fixture in defence for Xavi and could start against Napoli.
"We all hope he continues like this," said Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
"Imagine how much he can improve still, it's time for him to keep racking up the minutes ... he's in spectacular form and we have to take advantage of it."
Another change Xavi has made in recent weeks is using defender Andreas Christensen in defensive midfield.
"Now there is a good balance between the lines," added Ter Stegen.
"With Andreas as a pivot we are more balanced in defence and attack, he gives us a lot and I'm happy for him -- he's calm and confident."
B.Finley--AMWN