Xavi labels Barcelona star a ‘genius’ after Napoli triumph

Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez was quick to single one often under-appreciated member of his squad out for special praise this evening, on the back of the club’s meeting with Italian giants SSC Napoli.

The player in question? Frenkie de Jong.

Dutch international de Jong, of course the target of regular criticism on the part of the Blaugrana faithful across the campaign to date, was afforded his latest start in the middle of the park on Thursday.

And the former Ajax star went on to take full advantage of the opportunity, shining throughout proceedings in Naples, and even managing to chip in with his side’s 2nd of the night in brilliant fashion:

Take a bow, Frenkie de Jong 😍

Could not have placed it better! A beautiful goal away to Napoli…

Very satisfying net noise as well 👌#UEL pic.twitter.com/jLj0q5Eozw

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 24, 2022

In turn, as alluded to above, Xavi was quick to reveal his delight with de Jong on the back of the full-time whistle.

After being drawn on his side’s impressive display, the Barcelona boss went as far as to label de Jong ‘a genius’, who, this evening, was ‘really really amazing’:

Xavi Hernández: “Frenkie de Jong is a genius – he’s really, really amazing”. ⭐️🇳🇱 #FCB pic.twitter.com/L43JxlNDzZ

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 24, 2022

Auba amongst the goals

The goal netted by their midfield standout actually came as just one of four goals racked up by Barcelona at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Thursday.

Also on target against Napoli were all of Jordi Alba, Gerard Pique and, for the fourth time in two games, January addition Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang:

What a finish by Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang 🔥

That’s why Barca signed him, what a performance by Xavi’s side in Naples!#UEL pic.twitter.com/f7IF57boTm

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 24, 2022

Barca, in turn, keep their Europa League glory hopes alive, amid an encouraging upturn in recent form on the part of the Catalan giants.

Barcelona & Napoli follow Ruslan Malinovskyi with message of support for Ukraine

Revealed: FC Barcelona’s transfer plan in case of Erling Haaland failure