Sergi Roberto’s Redemption: A Real Contender for the Quarterfinals?

Sergi Roberto emerged as an unexpected hero in the Barça-Napoli clash, marking his return after 10 absent matches with a game-changing performance in just 30 minutes. His last appearance dated back to January 4th against Las Palmas in La Liga, making his impact all the more significant.

Coming off the bench when Napoli was gaining control of the ball, Xavi turned to midfield solutions, opting for Roberto and Romeu to replace Christensen and Fermín. Xavi sensed a pivotal piece on the field that could sway the course of the game.

The substitutions sparked the City version of Gündogan, who roamed the edge of the area and elevated the performance of the forwards. The plan worked, and Sergi Roberto shone in the heart of the midfield square.

Romeu’s positional midfield role allowed Roberto more freedom, resembling De Jong’s typical play when alongside Christensen. The Catalan midfielder showcased a trademark move, combining powerful ball-carrying with a well-timed run from deep.

“I could have shot, but the play worked perfectly.” Gündogan read Roberto’s penetrating run perfectly, setting him up almost face-to-face with the goalkeeper. In a moment of unselfish play, Roberto chose to assist Lewandowski, who simply guided the ball into the net.

“I could have shot, but the play worked perfectly. I saw Robert alone at the penalty spot, and I’m glad he could score. I think we had a great first half in Naples, but we lacked goals,” commented Sergi Roberto after the match.

His Stats: With 22 successful passes out of 26 attempts and only 4 losses among 33 actions, Sergi Roberto’s impact on the game was evident. His performance in the heart of the midfield square raises the question of whether he could be a viable starter in this position alongside Christensen in the quarterfinals.

De Jong’s injury and the option to push Gündogan forward work in his favor. After the qualification, the captain couldn’t ignore the struggles Barcelona faced in European competitions in recent seasons.

“It’s been an incredible night. It’s been four years without being where this club should be, but now we are very happy.” Even Piqué acknowledged Sergi Roberto’s contribution on this memorable night.