The club’s €55 million January signing broke down in tears after missing some clear-cut chances in the Europa League clash against Napoli.
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez and former captain Carles Puyol have defended Ferran Torres over his missed opportunities.
The former Manchester City forward sent Napoli keeper Alex Meret the wrong way in a penalty-kick to cancel out Piotr Zielinski’s opening goal and salvage a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the knockout playoff at Camp Nou on Thursday.
But Torres also missed key chances that could’ve changed the tide of the match. The Spaniard first fired the ball over the bar when well placed inside the box inside the first half, while the scoreline was goalless. He again fired over late on, costing Barcelona a decisive home win.
Aware of how costly his misses could be, Torres broke down in tears at the final whistle.
‘It also happened to Luis Suarez’
Speaking to reporters later, however, Xavi stood by Torres and reminded them how his former teammate Luis Suarez came good at Barca after a slow start following his €81.78 million arrival from Liverpool in 2014.
“We were just making a comparison in the dressing room,” said the manager.
“It [also] happened to Luis Suarez, who seemed to be struggling to score. The Barcelona shirt weighs a few kilos more. But I am delighted to have [Torres] in the team and he will give [us] a lot of joy.
“If he is in the area, it is because he will score. He could score all his life and he will. In training, he is one of those who score the most. He has our absolute confidence. He has to just put it behind him.
“It will not affect him. I will take care of this, the staff [will do so too]. He is very strong, self-demanding.”
‘Ferran Torres gives us a lot of joy’
While Puyol, who captained Barcelona to three Champions League titles during his career, also defended Torres.
“Ferran Torres gives us a lot of joy. Visca Barca,” the former defender posted on Twitter.
@FerranTorres20 nos dará muchas alegrías. Visca el Barça. 💙❤️
— Carles Puyol (@Carles5puyol) February 17, 2022
Torres also took to Twitter later on, posting: “It doesn’t end here. The effort always ends up giving results”
The 21-year-old has managed two goals and assists in his first six appearances for Barcelona.
The Blaugrana return to action on Sunday away to Valencia in La Liga, before taking on Napoli in the second-leg of their Europa League knockout playoff next Thursday in Naples.
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