‘He is an example’

Despite being on the brink of defeat, with a man down, Barca salvaged a 2-2 draw after Luuk de Jong’s injury-time equalizer.

Barcelona striker Luuk de Jong is an ‘example’ to the squad, according to manager Xavi Hernandez.

The 31-year-old Dutchman came off the bench to head in Adama Traore’s cross and seal a 2-2 draw for Barcelona in a pulsating affair against fellow Catalan side Espanyol at the RCD Stadium.

De Jong has endured a mixed season on loan from Sevilla. In January, he was expected to leave. However, he kept his head down and continued to give his all – eventually getting the green light to continue at Camp Nou.

He has since repaid Xavi for his faith, stepping up to make a difference for an injury-hit Barcelona. His injury-time header against Espanyol spared the club of a first defeat to their local rivals since 2007. It was also his third goal in his past four appearances in La Liga.

Entro para esto Luuk De Jong, y Adama hizo exactamente lo que tenía que hacer, un teledirigido a la cabeza para empatar el partido sobre el final. 2-2.

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— Tomiconcina🎙 (@Tomiconcina1) February 13, 2022

Speaking to reporters about De Jong after the final whistle, Xavi didn’t hold back in praising the Netherlands international.

“He is an example and I say that in front of the whole squad,” the Barcelona manager said.

“He’s a top professional, a goal scorer, and that’s why we brought him on. He’s had two chances and then scored another one,”

Pedri handed the Blaugrana a second-minute lead on Sunday by putting away Jordi Alba’s cross. Goals from Sergi Darder and Raul de Tomas later put Espanyol in front, before injury-time mayhem struck.

Gerard Pique and Nico Melamed both saw red after a coming together, moments before De Jong’s equalizer. Melamed’s Espanyol teammate Manu Morlanes also got a red card just before the derby ended.

Barcelona have now moved back ahead of Atletico Madrid into the fourth and final Champions League spot in La Liga on goal difference as both sides are level on 39 points.