FC Barcelona coach Quique Setién hopes to prevent a scenario like this in the last two years of the Champions League season. The Catalans then lost a large lead in a return match in the knockout phase.
“We have all spoken very little about this, but I am sure it will be in the minds of the players,” said Setién on Monday at his press conference prior to the Napoli outing in the eighth finals.
FC Barcelona showed itself in the quarter-finals in the 2017/2018 season by AS Roma (3-0 loss after 4-1 win) and last season in the semi-finals by Liverpool (4-0 loss after 3- 0 win).
“I think the team is now in excellent shape. We are therefore confident that we will continue. We are in a good phase and I have no doubt that we will keep the form,” said Setién.
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The players of FC Barcelona during the training in Stadio San Paolo. (Photo: Pro Shots)
“Expect a very emotional evening”
FC Barcelona recaptured last weekend at the expense of Real Madrid, the opponent of next Sunday, the lead in La Liga. Napoli is only sixth in the Serie A, but the Italians have recently found their way up.
“I expect a heated evening and a Napoli in top form. We have already seen what this team is capable of. But I hope that my Champions League debut will be a competition to remember,” said Setién.
The first match between Napoli and FC Barcelona starts on Tuesday at 9 p.m. in Stadio San Paolo and is led by German referee Felix Brych. The return will be in Camp Nou on Wednesday March 18
View the program and the results in the Champions League
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