Barcelona dominates Levante
Barcelona returned to their winning ways with a 3-0 win over Levante on Saturday evening. They had plenty of positives from the game. However, Ansu Fati was the focal point of the game. The teenager came back after a 10-month hiatus from the field following an injury suffered last November. He marked his return with a stunning goal, late in the game to cap off a comfortable win for Barcelona.
Barcelona started the game on the front foot, playing quick one-touch passes. The Catalan side moved the ball quickly and swiftly and fought for the ball when they lost it. It was an inspired performance from aside, who have not been themself in the past few games.
Mercurial Memphis
Memphis Depay opened the scoring in the 6th-minute mark after winning a penalty. The Dutchman swiveled through Levante’s defense with ease and was brought down inside the area. He coolly slotted the ball into the back of the net for his 3rd goal of the season.
Meanwhile, Luuk De Jong got his first goal for Barcelona, 10 minutes later. Sergio Dest, who was having a game of his life, dribbled through the middle and sent the Dutchman through, who did not make any mistake in putting it past the keeper.
The Catalan giant dominated the game with great effectiveness as they created chance after chance. Memphis Depay displayed an inspired performance against Levante and could have easily scored 3 or more goals himself. He racked up an impressive six-shot on goal.
Another player having a great game was Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian starting as a no.10 in the 4-2-3-1 setup was involved in nearly every move and was lively until his substitution. Nico Gonzalez and Pablo Gavi, the teenagers also played an assured display in the middle of the park. They both displayed some insane technique with cool and calmness in the head.
Ansu Fati marks his return
The domination continued through the second half and it was late in the game when Barcelona stepped their foot off the accelerator when Levante created chances of any substance.
Riqui Puig, who replaced Coutinho, nearly scored a wonderful solo goal after dribbling through the midfield and the defense.
In the 82nd minute, Ansu Fati came on for Luuk De Jong with a great reception from the spectators. The new number 10 did not wait to impress the crowd. He started with an energy that was lacking in Barcelona players in the recent games. He played like he was not away for a long time at all. Ansu was taking on players at will and beating them for pace. He added a new dynamic in the team with pace to burn.
It did not take a long time for him to leave his mark. Ansu Fati winning the ball near the halfway line swiveled past his defender then ran at a back-pedaling Levante defense. The youngster then made an angle like he was about to curl the ball into the net but suddenly without any backlift sent a driven shot in the wrong side of the defender to score his first goal of the season.
Ansu Fati celebrated his goal with his Physician who helped him through his recovery in the last ten months. It was an important moment for the player and the club.
Ansu Fati on competing
Meanwhile, the 18-year-old after the match said in the interview, that Barcelona will compete on all fronts.
He said,
“We want to fight for the league and the Champions League, we are Barça and we have to fight and work for it.”
This could be just the turning point in the season of Barcelona.
