Oviri Kelvin, Sports Editor, Abuja
The Barcelona boss has commended January signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s after his display against Napoli in the EUROPA league match yesterday.
Aubameyang, who signed from Arsenal on a free transfer, started his first match for Barcelona against the Italian club.
The ex-Arsenal striker had previously started off the bench against Atletico Madrid and Espanyol but was handed the starting role by Xavi against Napoli.
Aubameyang displayed a lot of creativity in-game in which on one occasion he released Ferran Torres through a brilliant play who shot the ball away from goal.
Torres made amends having missed a golden opportunity to put Barcelona ahead by scoring a penalty kick to bring the scoreline to parity.
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Xavi in his assessment, reveals that the Gabon international still needs a little time to blend with his new teammates but was impressed with his level of contributions in the tough EUROPA tie with Napoli.
He said, “Good, very good.
“Perhaps he struggled a bit to link up with his teammates. He is a player with a very good physical capacity.
“He has tried, his pressing was intense, which we have missed.
“That is what we ask of him and then he will score and create things. He is a great player and he will contribute like Adama [Traore] and Ferran,” he added.
The former Arsenal striker made his move to Barcelona after he was stripped of the captaincy by the coach Mikel Arteta over disciplinary issues.
Despite still being on contract with the North London club till 2023, Mikel Arteta had to prevail to let Aubameyang join Barcelona stating that the decision was in the best interest of both parties.
