Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong deserves the credit of the club’s entire fanbase on Saturday evening.
This comes after the Dutchman played an absolutely pivotal role in Barcelona getting the better of arch rivals Real Madrid.
Hansi Flick’s troops marked their return to action a short time ago, making the trip to the Spanish capital for the season’s first edition of El Clásico.
And, when all was said and done, the Blaugrana emerged on the right side of a spectacular result.
Owing to a double on the part of Robert Lewandowski, and further strikes courtesy of Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, Barca embarrassed their most bitter rivals on their own turf.
And yet, whilst it will be the evening’s goalscorers who steal the headlines back in Catalunya’s capital, it is another who deserves absolutely massive credit.
Frenkie de Jong was introduced off the bench by Hansi Flick at half-time this evening, in place of Fermín López.
And, immediately, the former Ajax standout set about establishing complete control of the middle of the park.
De Jong added an extra element of calm to Barcelona’s engine room, with his experience and nous in high-profile fixtures having shone through on both sides of the ball.
The Dutch international played a key role in Robert Lewandowski’s crucial 2nd, too, opening up the Real Madrid backline courtesy of a perfectly-weighted pass.
So often the target of criticism on the part of the Blaugrana faithful, tonight, De Jong deserves his flowers.
Conor Laird – GSFN
