Barcelona’s unsung hero emerges (again) in win over Elche | OneFootball

Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong again stepped up when his teammates needed him most on Sunday evening.

This came en route to the Blaugrana securing a return to winning ways at the expense of Elche.

Hansi Flick’s troops marked their return to action a short time ago, welcoming newly-promoted Elche to Catalunya’s capital for a La Liga clash.

When all was said and done, the evening’s hosts emerged on the right side of a 3-1 result, to close the gap on table-topping Real Madrid to five points.

In the game’s aftermath, the likes of Marcus Rashford and Fermín López have taken the majority of the plaudits, owing to their exploits in the final third.

As alluded to above, though, it was another who proved himself arguably Barcelona’s most consistent performer over the course of the 90 minutes.

With Pedri fresh off being condemned to an extended incoming spell on the sidelines, Hansi Flick desperately needed his other midfielders to step up.

And as so often proves the case, Frenkie de Jong answered this call in style.

Covering every blade of grass, the Dutchman excelled in every aspect of the game, from passing, to controlling the tempo, breaking up opposing attacks and more.

This proved exactly the kind of confidence boost which those of a Barca persuasion needed, when it comes to their side’s chances of covering for the absence of Pedri for the weeks ahead.

Conor Laird – GSFN