100% everything: 27-year-old Barcelona star puts in faultless display against Alaves | OneFootball

FC Barcelona did not start off the La Liga encounter against Alaves on the best possible note. Hansi Flick’s men could not get into any sort of rhythm in the first 45 minutes and a stop-start nature certainly did not help their cause.

With Real Madrid losing to Espanyol the previous day, it was very important for Barcelona to capitalize and get closer in the title race. Los Blancos had a seven-point lead prior to this game week that has been cut down to four at this point.

Ultimately, Barcelona ended with a 1-0 victory over Alaves on the night, thanks to a goal from Robert Lewandowski. However, having played such a tepid first half, Hansi Flick’s substitutions at half-time changed the game in the team’s favor.

The German coach decided to start the game with Marc Casado and Ronald Araujo but changed it up at half-time, bringing on Frenkie de Jong and Eric Garcia. The duo played exceptionally well in the game against Alaves and this needs further understanding.

As per stats from Sofascore, Frenkie de Jong had a faultless display against Alaves. Playing 45-odd minutes, the numbers show that the 27-year-old did not put a single foot wrong throughout his time on the pitch.

Frenkie recorded 45 touches of the ball, completing 100% of his 41 attempted passes. This included one key pass that created a chance for Barcelona. He also completed his only attempted long ball on the night.

Defensively, Frenkie attempted two ground duels, winning both of them and also recorded one clearance and one interception. It was a performance of the highest order from the Dutch midfield star who continues to build momentum with each passing game.

Since the turn of 2025, Frenkie de Jong has been a different player and has left the troubles of 2024 behind. He seems to have returned to his very best and has also added defensive steel to his game. Slowly yet surely, he has usurped Marc Casado to a starting berth and let’s wait and see if Flick makes the Dutchman a sure-shot starter going forward.