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Barcelona supporters in Torres-de Jong demand after Napoli stalemate


 

Fans of Spanish giants Barcelona have flooded to social media on Thursday evening, to send a crystal clear message to boss Xavi Hernandez regarding Luuk de Jong.

The Blaugrana of course marked their return to action a short time ago.

After requiring a last-gasp equaliser to avoid defeat to Espanyol in La Liga at the weekend, Xavi and co. turned their attentions towards matters on the continent, in a Europa League last-16 showdown with SSC Napoli.

When all was said and done, though, Barca, once more, were forced to settle for a draw.

Napoli took the lead in proceedings inside half an hour, when Piotr Zielinski lashed home on the rebound after seeing his initial effort well kept out by Marc-Andre ter Stegen;

But the hosts drew level early in the 2nd-half courtesy of Ferran Torres, who made no mistake from the penalty spot to leave the tie on a knife-edge ahead of next week's return leg in Naples.

'Has to start'

Despite the two sides having ultimately cancelled each other out at the Camp Nou this evening, though, on the back of the full-time whistle sounding, it will be only one who head home in possession of regrets, in the form of Barcelona.

Xavi's men carved out a whole host of presentable opportunities over the course of the 90 minutes, with Ferran Torres, despite his spot-kick success, having proven the player guilty of frequent, and frankly inexcusable profligacy in front of goal.

And such woes, as alluded to above, have since culminated in those of a Blaugrana persuasion taking to social media in their absolute numbers, to demand change up top moving forward.

After Luuk de Jong caused Napoli's backline a whole host of problems on the back of a late introduction off the bench, calls have mounted for the Dutchman to be handed a starting berth not only this weekend, but in next week's return leg in Italy, too:

 

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Conor Laird

Conor Laird

Die-hard Juventus fan with a love for all things Italian, and a real soft spot for Arsenal cult heroes. Emmanuel Eboue, Nicklas Bendtner, Philippe Senderos... Give them all statues outside the Emirates.


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