Tiktukno, 12.3/Sport1
Barcelona is having a very bad season in the domestic league and will probably lose their championship to Real Madrid.
But what doesn't go in the league, goes in Europe and tonight Xavi's team advanced to the quarterfinals of the champions after 1:3 at home over Napoli and 2:4 in the match summary.
After the 1:1 draw in Italy, Barca needed a win to qualify for the last eight in the factory for the first time in four years, and that's exactly what they did.
Fermin Lopes (15) and Joao Cancelo scored within two minutes.
Amir Ramani (30) brought the Italian champion back to business and she tried with all her might to equalize and force overtime, but Robert Lewandowski (83) gave the seal.
But with all due respect to the conquerors in this game, the one who was chosen as their man of the match is none other than Pau Cobarsi.
The 17-year-old stopper made his short career debut in the Champions League and showed excellent defensive ability against Osiman, Karabakhali and the Italians' threatening strikers.
"Barcelona roars in Europe again", read the headline in the Catalan "Sport", and once again the team is full of optimism for the next stage.
man of the match
At the age of 17. Cobarsi stops Osiman/Reuters
Who will you be waiting for next?
"Kovarsi is amazing. He was the best player in the game," Sergi Roberto praised the young stopper, "he never ceases to surprise us. Eighth finals and plays like this... he is a player who should be here for life. Humble and hardworking. When they say it's more than a club , it's because of things like that. We need that kind of atmosphere in every game."
Xavi, who will leave Barcelona at the end of the season, praised his team and the crowd: "We had an excellent game. People said we would lose the dressing room, but we are performing very well as a team. The fans? They were 10/10."
About his future he said: "If I had lost, I would have been on the street... This is one of my happiest moments here, but it doesn't change (the decision)."
Xavi said about Cobarsi: "He hasn't lost his composure. He's very calm. He knows when to release the ball. He knows how to attack, gives himself up with the midfielders. It's great to see him play."
Kovarsi, the hero of the game, said: "It was one of the happiest days of my life. We are returning to the quarter-finals after four years. We are really happy about the work that was done here."
Fermin Lopes, who scored the first goal: "For four years this club has been waiting to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Champions League. It makes us very happy. Everyone - the coach, the injured players and the crowd. It was important to start the game well. We had a lot of situations and you can't complain about three gates".
Everyone is happy for him.
Sergey/Reuters
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After the game, Gerard Pique tweeted just two words, which for Barcelona fans mean everything: "Sergi Roberto", with an icon of a heart, as a compliment to the old and loving home player who scored the third goal for Lewandowski, in a smart move full of praise.
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