02/21/2024 Act. at 23:53 CET
Frenkie de Jong was one of the most outstanding footballers of FC Barcelona at Diego Armando Maradona. The Dutch midfielder led the game and showed character. Despite receiving a yellow card as early as it was unfair, he did not break down and showed character. As much as the day before in the press room.
Many focuses were on Frenkie after his ‘crack’ in Diego Armando Maradona’s previous appearance, charging against the media for rumors about his future and his salary. The Dutchman defended himself, and it is his right, but where he also had to speak was on the pitch.
Like the rest of the team, De Jong went from strength to strength in the first half. Located at the base of the square, forming the double pivot next to Christensen – he was positioned to the left of the Dane -, Gorcum’s player felt comfortable passing and on many occasions he broke free to enter from the second line.
Unfair yellow cardboard
The first problem came at the edge of the first quarter of an hour, when The German referee Felix Zwayer showed him a yellow card for a challenge on Di Lorenzo. Rigorous no, very rigorous.
It conditioned him above all because in actions in which he would have put his leg to commit tactical fouls, logically he did not play it, although Frenkie tried to continue doing his thing and took part in several actions in the rival area. Napoli began to balance the game, and then, De Jong joined in defensive missions, even inserting himself as another central defender.
When Barça began to lose its physical performance in the second half, Frenkie de Jong had to multiply. The team looked for resistance with the ball at their feet and found their fourth captain. It was like this, with game control and patience, that Xavi Hernández’s men took the lead on the scoreboard, after a low shot from Lewandowski.
Frenkie de Jong contained the team’s play in the final stretch of the match in which the Neapolitans searched, with more heart than head, for the tying goal. In these final minutes, the Dutchman was also essential for the team’s victory.
Duel with Lobotka
Paired throughout the match with former Celta player Stanislav Lobotka, Frenkie jumped under the pressure, led the orchestra and won the applause of his teammates when he prevented Politano from centering from the baseline in a dangerous action.
But De Jong could not prevent Naples from tying with a quarter of an hour remaining, after an error by Iñigo in marking with Osimhen. Frenkie was the first to lift the spirits of his teammates. Although the scoreboard no longer moved, he was one of those who gave him the most push and got very angry when Gio Simeone fouled him which, in his case, did not merit a card.
Frenkie’s numbers
Minutes played: 94
Successful passes: 70 of 75 (93%)
Lost balls: 6
Fouls committed: 2
Fouls received: 2
Balls touched: 84
Long balls: 3
Duels won: 3/8
2024-02-21 22:02:08
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