Youth

Barcelona, the former giants of European football, found themselves at a crossroads as they prepared to host Napoli in the second leg of their Champions League knockout tie. With the scores level after the first leg in Italy, the stakes were high, but Xavi Hernandez’s team selection raised more than a few eyebrows. In a bold move that defied conventional wisdom, the Barcelona manager entrusted the club’s hopes and dreams to a group of talented yet largely untested youngsters.