After failing to make it out of their Champions League institution, Barca will play in Europe's 2d-tier tournament for the first time considering that dropping to Celtic on the last-16 stage in March 2004.
Laporta changed into inside the establishing season of his first spell as president that 12 months and at the same time as Barcelona's fortunes would quickly improve exponentially as Pep Guardiola and Lionel Messi got to work, no person can be optimistic a similar transformation is near now.
Barcelona's players have been likely watching on television on Tuesday as Messi played -- and ignored a penalty -- for Paris Saint-Germain in opposition to Real Madrid in Paris, the sort of heavyweight European tie to which the Catalans could be generally greater accustomed.
There are a few high-quality symptoms that head instruct Xavi Hernandez is steerage the team inside the right course, even though erratic consequences and performances are a reminder of the work still to be carried out.
Barca defeated Atletico Madrid 4-2 earlier this month in one of the maximum encouraging presentations beneath Xavi, but a 2-2 draw away at city rivals Espanyol closing weekend noticed doubts resurface beforehand of the go to of Napoli to the Camp Nou.
The younger Barca aspect's attempt to rebuild their recognition inside the Europa League will come below a excessive exam towards opponents who sit down 0.33 in Serie A and have conceded handiest 17 dreams in 25 suits.
"Napoli are a Champions League-stage opponent, one of the maximum hard groups we could have drawn," stated Xavi.
Luciano Spalletti's facet are preventing to win their 1/3 Serie A identify -- after Diego Maradona left Barcelona and inspired Napoli to turn out to be champions in 1987 and 1990.
"The game can be a tribute to Maradona," stated Xavi.
- 'Big gamers' -
