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;
Barcelona fall behind against Napoli… ?
A brilliant team move from the visitors, and on his second attempt, Piotr Zieliński slams the ball home! ?
Work to do for Xavi’s men…#UEL pic.twitter.com/lU2uEydVRH
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 17, 2022
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.
Ferran Torres couldn’t hold back his emotions after the whistle. pic.twitter.com/JYmxsBJ9ma
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 17, 2022
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:
luuk should start ahead of ferran.
— Juni Junaid ? (@Juni4Junaid) February 17, 2022
Luuk De Jong should start against Valencia. I don’t want to see Auba
— Snnkey (@Snakeystunna) February 17, 2022
In this system Luuk should start every game there’s no other option
— VivaBarça (@DeySourjya) February 17, 2022
Ferran was bad today but he will prove his worth. Luuk definitely deserves to start over Auba. Hopefully we win against Valencia & gain some confidence to beat Napoli away, this team can do that.
— Finn (@FCB_Finn) February 17, 2022
we have to start luuk in the second leg. that’s the only way we’re scoring i’m afraid https://t.co/iCKpROVXkk
— ? (@dvaarte) February 17, 2022
Popular opinion: Luuk De Jong should start in the second leg in Naples
— Mystic (@FCB_Mystic) February 17, 2022
GG start Luuk over Ferran please
— Yo (@eMemoires) February 17, 2022
Ferran Torres doesn’t deserve to start ahead of Luuk, Gavi & Braithwaite in this shape.
Factos. #BarcaNapoli
— BJP (@2019mission360) February 17, 2022
Luuk should start as st. He is nuts
— Naman? (@Naman_277) February 17, 2022
Luuk deserves to start !
— DaVe (@069odave) February 17, 2022
Luuk has got to start against Valencia
— Friend-w-no-Friends?????? (@1Tambawega) February 17, 2022
Have Barcelona ever won the Europa League/UEFA Cup?
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