Featured Image Credit: Image: BT Sport
Topics: Barcelona, Ferran Torres, Europa League, Napoli, Manchester City, Spain
Josh Lawless
Topics: Barcelona, Ferran Torres, Europa League, Napoli, Manchester City, Spain
Barcelona forward Ferran Torres was in tears at full-time of Barcelona's 1-1 draw with Napoli last night, despite scoring in the fixture.
Piotr Zieliński scored the opener in the 29th minute but January signing Torres levelled matters from the penalty spot close to the hour mark after a VAR check, rather harshly, deemed defender Juan Jesus to have handled Adama Traore's cross.
The Blaugrana, who are playing secondary European football for the first time since 2004, piled on the pressure late on but the spoils were shared in the Europa League round of 32 first leg.
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And although he scored his second goal for the club, Torres was visibly distraught at the final whistle and had to be consoled by his teammates in some surprising scenes at the Nou Camp.
He was seen with his head in his hands and then wiping his eyes with his shirt.
The Spain international had missed a couple of huge chances in the game, failing to maintain his composure when it mattered and clearly the former Manchester City man felt he had let his team down.
But manager Xavi Hernandez was quick to defend the 21-year-old and compared his situation to Luis Suarez's early struggles at Barca.
"It happened to Luis Suarez, who seemed to have no goals," Xavi said post-match, as per Goal.
"The Barca shirt weighs a few kilos more. But I am delighted to have him in the team and he will give me a lot of joy.
"If he is in the penalty area it is because he will score. He has scored goals all his life and he will have them.
"In training he is one of those who scores the most. He has our absolute trust. The coaching staff and I will take care of this. He is very strong, self-demanding."
Former Barca skipper Carles Puyol voiced his support for Torres, tweeting that the player "will give us a lot of joy" and accompanying the blue and red love hearts.
Barca are back in action against Torres' former side Valencia this weekend, before travelling to Naples for the second leg on Thursday 24 February.