Xavi lauds Barça's "most complete" performance after Napoli win

Xavi lauds Barça's "most complete" performance after Napoli win

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The Barcelona coach was delighted with what he saw on Thursday in Italy

Xavi Hernandez was delighted with his Barcelona side dismantling Napoli on Thursday, winning 4-2 to reach the last 16 of the Europa League via a 5-3 aggregate win.

Jordi Alba, Frenkie de Jong, Gerard Pique and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were all on target in Italy as Barça scored four goals for the third time this month.

"It was our most complete performance so far," he said. "We looked to dominate the game and we managed that. I am really happy with the team's effort.

"We played really well: we knew how to find the free man, high pressure, pressing after losing the ball ... we dominated, as we did at home as well. The result is fair. I am really happy for players who are working so hard. This is the path to follow, we're on the right track."

The Barça coach highlighted his team's new-found ability on the counter-attack, which led to the first goal.

"Napoli pressed us high a lot, generating space for us," he added. "We had to take advantage of those spaces. From a Napoli corner, we've (scored) from a counter-attack straight out of the playbook. We understood how to use the free man, we took advantage of Adama, Ferran and Auba."

FRENKIE DE JONG

One of the players that stood out was De Jong, the author of the second goal.

"I think he played brilliantly," Xavi said. "The goal was great as well. He's full of confidence and getting better. He had a knock when we took over the team, nothing significant, but now he's fresh, dynamic, talented, he gets into the box... He has to be an important player for the team for many years."

However, despite the euphoria of the win, Xavi is not making Barça favourites for the Europa League.

"We are not favourites at all," he said. "We have to keep working with humility. Enjoy it today but now (think about Athletic Club on) Sunday. A very good performance, but this continues, we're only in the last 16 of the Europa League, we haven't won anything."

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