Madrid (AFP)
In the absence of his captain Lionel Messi (suspended), the irreproachable Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong was responsible for offering the victory to FC Barcelona against Elche 2-0 on Sunday for the 20th day of La Liga, and has allowed Barça to move up to 3rd place.
The international Oranje (14 caps) propelled into Elche's net a ball diverted by Diego Gonzalez to his own cages (39th) before serving a perfect ladle for Riqui Puig's first goal for Barça at the end of the game (89th ).
De Jong has revived the Catalan club in the league, 3rd to 7 points behind leaders Atlético Madrid who host Valence CF on Sunday evening (9:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m. GMT).
Expected at his best since his transfer from Ajax Amsterdam to Barça in July 2019 for 86 million euros, the Dutchman proved again on Sunday that now 23 years old, he is close to his full potential.
While Ronald Koeman asked him to increase his offensive performance since the start of the season, his compatriot obeyed him well: it is his fourth goal scored since mid-December (three in La Liga and one in the Supercopa de Spain) ... even though he hadn't found his way to the goals before.
With, in his recital, almost always fair passes and a rare sense of the game.
Thanks, also, to the decisive stop of Marc-André ter Stegen on Emiliano Rigoni (56th) to preserve the result, this victory reinvigorates Barça in the middle of January ... After a gloomy start to the season, the defeat in the final of Super Cup of Spain 3-2 after extra time against Athletic Bilbao last Sunday, and the suspension of two matches of Lionel Messi after his first red card at Barça.
While FC Barcelona should have known the name of its new president this Sunday, the elections for the head of the Catalan club have been postponed (to a date not yet communicated) due to the new coronavirus pandemic and prolonged restrictions in Catalonia.
In La Liga, Barça went on Sunday in its 9th game without defeat, and remains undefeated since December 5 (2-1 defeat in Cadiz).
Earlier in the day, Osasuna came out of the red zone by winning frankly 3-1 against Granada thanks to a double from Ante Budimir, despite the red card inflicted on Facundo Roncaglia (88th).
© 2021 AFP