Barcelona's head coach Xavi Hernandez reacts during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Villarreal at the Olimpic Lluis Companys stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Jan 27, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

MADRID - FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said he is hoping for a "magical night" when his side entertains Napoli in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday night.

Barca will go into the game as slight favorites after a 1-1 draw in Italy three weeks ago, but in his pre-game press conference, Xavi advised that Napoli has improved following the arrival of Francesco Calzona as coach just before their first match.

"Napoli have improved, they are more dynamic and are more comfortable on the pitch. I expect a brave Napoli, who will press us high and want to have the ball," said Xavi.

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"We have to see this as an opportunity for us. We are playing in front of our fans. We must compete and show our football. We are not afraid of failing but we want to show that we can compete at this level," stated the coach.

Napoli's Cameroon midfielder #99 Andre Zambo Anguissa (center left) vies with Barcelona's Polish forward #09 Robert Lewandowski (center right) during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first Leg football match between Napoli and Barcelona at the Diego-Armando-Maradona stadium in Naples on Feb 21, 2024. (PHOTO / AFP)

"I would say there are no favorites. It's at 50-50 percent, although maybe we have a slight advantage as we are playing in front of our fans. I want the ground to be a pressure cooker tomorrow," added Xavi, who announced a couple of months ago that he would not remain in charge next season.

"I have a sell-by date and tomorrow I am not important. It is an important match for the club that we have to see as an opportunity and we have to be united," Xavi insisted, before adding that his side had prepared for the possibility of a penalty shootout.

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"We have worked out all the scenarios that can occur," he told the press.