Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 's first start for Barcelona served as a cold reminder to Xavi Hernandez that his gut feeling on the former Arsenal striker could be spot on.
After two substitute appearances, the 32-year-old was handed his full Barca debut on Thursday, as the famous club returned to Europe's second-rate competition for the first time since 2004 - back when Xavi was still playing.
Napoli were their opponents in the Europa League round-of-32, with the Blaugrana welcoming them to the Camp Nou for a 1-1 draw; truly a game of two halves.
Aubameyang last started a match of club football in early December, having been stripped of the captaincy by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta which prompted him to swiftly leave north London after four up-and-down years.
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It started well for the new No.25, as his smart pressing of the vistors' back line led to an early chance for Pedri which the youngster fired over the crossbar.
And seconds before the Serie A side took the lead, Aubameyang played in fellow January arrival Ferran Torres for a golden opportunity - again squandered.
The Italians broke the deadlock midway through the first half, with ex-Barcelona target Piotr Zielinski slamming home after Marc-Andre ter Stegen had saved his initial effort.
From then on, Aubameyang was a peripheral figure in the game, as Xavi ultimately hooked him for the imposing presence of Luuk de Jong in the 86th minute.
The ex-Gunners striker is expected to give Barcelona a cutting edge in the final third, although his performance was one which reminded fans of comments their manager made about him in 2020.
"Aubameyang can kill you in open space. But Barcelona need players who know how to move in small spaces," Xavi explained. "I am thinking about players who would adapt to Barcelona and it's not easy to find one."
Aubameyang responded to the criticism in his first press conference, stating: "I see myself as ready and I think that I've had a lot of luck playing in the Premier League.
"I am prepared to play in the Barca style. I've watched a lot of game, I have to adapt but it's football. I spoke a bit to the coach and he sees me as a No 9.
"If he needs me on the wing then no problem, I'm ready to play in all positions."
His new boss has unsurprisingly changed his tune since the Gabon star became a part of the squad.
"He's a player who can make a difference," Xavi affirmed. "He works well in spaces and makes good runs into the area."
He will be hoping, then, that Thursday's display was just down to teething problems.
