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Teenager Ansu Fati supplied Barcelona a glimpse of what life could also be like with out Lionel Messi with a starring function in Sunday’s 4-0 win against Villarreal.
Fati, 17, helped Barca put a tumultuous summer time behind them with two targets as Ronald Koeman’s facet made the right begin to the brand new La Liga season at Camp Nou.
Messi was additionally heading in the right direction, scoring from the penalty spot after Fati had been fouled, in what was his first aggressive look for the membership since he tried to go away final month.
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– Scores: Fati 9/10, Messi 7/10 in win over Villarreal
Fatk and Messi virtually linked for one more purpose within the second half, too, and the teenager stated he’s joyful the membership captain ended up staying.
“Enjoying with Messi has been a dream since I used to be a child and now I’m doing it,” Fati, who joined Barca’s academy in 2012, informed reporters.
“He at all times helps me and provides me recommendation, not simply on the pitch but additionally in coaching. I’m enjoying alongside the very best gamers on this planet and I attempt to profit from each alternative and each recreation.”
Ansu, who would not flip 18 till Oct. 31, has now scored 10 targets for Barca since making his senior debut final August.
Koeman was delighted together with his match-winning efficiency however warned him he nonetheless wants to enhance as he seems to ascertain himself within the facet following final yr’s breakout season.
“Ansu’s a younger participant who has to search out consistency in his recreation,” the Dutch coach stated in a information convention. “He is a very good child. He is open to listening and enhancing and he confirmed in the present day that he has an enormous future forward of him at Barca.
“We all know he is solely 17 and there are issues he can enhance. Generally he lacks focus. Certainly one of my criticisms of him after the pleasant in opposition to Elche was his efficiency wasn’t optimum.
“I could not say that in the present day. Immediately, I informed him it was [optimal]; that he performed nice. That is what he at all times should search for in his performances: not simply creating and scoring targets, however the width he supplied was vital. We have been capable of reap the benefits of his qualities.”
Ansu began in a four-man assault in opposition to Villarreal alongside Messi, Antoine Griezmann and Philippe Coutinho, who has returned from a season-long mortgage with Bayern Munich.
The deal that sent Luis Suarez to Atletico Madrid has left Barcelona with out an out-and-out striker and Koeman confirmed he want to add one other attacker to his squad.
Sources have informed ESPN Barca are eager on Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez and Lyon’s Memphis Depay, however with the membership unable to spend massive available in the market, and Koeman stated he’ll work with what he has if nobody new arrives.
“It is at all times good to have a No.9, to have one other plan upfront,” he stated. “However we are able to play completely with out an outright No.9 on the pitch.”
All Barca’s targets in opposition to Villarreal got here within the first half, with Pau Torres’ personal purpose following Fati’s brace and Messi’s penalty. Koeman stated it was “regular” that the rhythm dropped after the break given this was his facet’s first recreation of the season.
Barca are again in motion on Thursday once they journey to Celta Vigo, with Sevilla subsequent up at Camp Nou subsequent Sunday.
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