Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Kazakhstan
Nigeria
San Marino

Ansu Fati scores in first Barcelona appearance in 10 months

goal.com, 26 September 2021, 16:13
The 18-year-old winger came on with just 10 minutes left and managed to fire in his side's third goal of the game

Ansu Fati scored for Barcelona in his first game in more than 10 months as his side beat Levante 3-0 on Sunday.

The 18-year-old had been out of action since last November, having suffered a torn meniscus on his left knee in a clash with Real Betis.

The Spain international came off the bench to replace striker Luuk de Jong with less than 10 minutes left of the game and went on to score in stoppage time.

What was Fati's goal like?

Eric Garcia's pass made its way towards Fati through a dummy from Memphis Depay.

As the Levante defence failed to deal with the danger, the Barca youth academy graduate took possession in the middle of the visitors' half and charged towards goal.

Despite full-back Jorge Miramon's attempt to block his path, he created space with a quick change of direction and sent it bouncing beyond goalkeeper Aitor from outside the box.

The strike saw his side go 3-0 up at Camp Nou, with Depay and De Jong scoring in the first half.

What did Fati say?

The winger admitted his first game back for the Catalan side went better than he expected and said he is proud to wear the No. 10 jersey that was previously worn by Lionel Messi.

He told Movistar: "I did not imagine a return like this. Here you always have to win. I am happy for the victory, we have a lot left. I thank the doctors and physios who have been with me. Also to the fans.

"I have thought about helping the team. I have also thought about my family, who have suffered these months. Also for the people of the club. They have been a great support for me in all these months.

"I am one more. I will try to add what I can. I will try to help the coach and be available to help.

"It will depend on how I find myself. I will have to earn the minutes. This is very long, it has just begun. We are Barca and we have to fight for everything.

"For me the No. 10 is not a source of pressure, it is a source of pride. I thank the club and the captains for giving me the opportunity to wear it. It is not pressure, but gratitude.

"We are going to fight for La Liga, for the Champions League and for everything. We have to fight and work for that."

What does the result mean for Barcelona?

The 3-0 victory puts an end to a four-game winless run in all competitions for Ronald Koeman's team and lifts them to fifth in La Liga. They sit five points behind leaders Real Madrid but have a game in hand.

Koeman has been under pressure in recent weeks, as the club are considering sacking him due to their disappointing start to the season.

Goal understands the club have already spoken to Belguim boss Roberto Martinez about replacing Koeman.

Next, they take on Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday as they look to recover from their 3-0 defeat at home to Bayern Munich in the first game of the competition.

Top News

24 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk At the end of a remarkable Scudetto-winning season, Inter Milan play their final game on Sunday, when Hellas Verona play host to the Italian champions at Stadio Bentegodi. 24 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sarmiento can end a six-match winless run in the Argentine Primera Division campaign when they host Independiente Rivadavia on Sunday at Estadio Eva Peron. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona Women and Lyon Women will be gunning for Europe's top prize when they face off in Saturday's Women's Champions League final at San Mames. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have reportedly been told they would need to pay around £180m to sign Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly moved ahead of Barcelona in the race to sign RB Leipzig attacker Dani Olmo. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to avoid a third consecutive defeat, DC United will do battle against Chicago Fire at the Audi Field in Washington on Sunday morning. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly held talks with Kieran McKenna after the Ipswich Town boss was identified as one of four candidates to replace Erik ten Hag. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Off the back of consecutive defeats, St Louis City will be looking to return to winning ways when they welcome Seattle Sounders to CITYPARK on Sunday. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Sociedad welcome Atletico Madrid to Estadio Anoeta for a dead-rubber La Liga fixture on the final day of the 2023-24 season on Saturday afternoon. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk For the first time in 22 years, Glaswegian rivals Celtic and Rangers will meet at Hampden Park for an Old Firm derby in the Scottish Cup final on Saturday afternoon. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fulham winger Willian has reportedly received offers to move to the Saudi Pro League this summer. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Round 15 of the 2024 Major League Soccer season sees Colorado Rapids and Minnesota United lock horns at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Sunday. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Jagoba Arrasate will take charge of his final game as Osasuna boss when his side takes on Villarreal at El Sadar on Saturday. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The winner of the 19th A-League title will be decided in New South Wales on Saturday, as Central Coast Mariners welcome Melbourne Victory to the Industree Group Stadium in the Grand Final. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Portland Timbers are set to host Sporting Kansas City at Providence Park on Sunday in MLS' Western Conference. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both looking to conclude their disappointing campaigns on relative highs, second-tier bound duo Almeria and Cadiz will meet at Power Horse Stadium for a La Liga clash on Saturday evening. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Athletic Bilbao will attempt to claim a second straight victory when they travel to Estadio de Vallecas for Saturday's clash with Rayo Vallecano. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United and Liverpool have apparently suffered a fresh blow in their efforts to capture one of Ligue 1's highest-rated centre-backs. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona have reportedly struck a verbal agreement with a Champions League-winning manager, who will take over in the event that Xavi leaves the club. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk An out-of-favour Arsenal midfielder has confirmed that his agent is working on finding him a new club in the summer transfer window. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez has explained the decision behind his latest social media activity amid speculation over a possible summer exit from Anfield. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has revealed that Harry Maguire will be unavailable for Saturday's FA Cup final against Manchester City. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Already confirmed as Serie A runners-up going into the final day of the season, AC Milan are set to close the Stefano Pioli era after Saturday's game against relegated Salernitana. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly set a deadline for appointing a successor to former manager Mauricio Pochettino. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final countdown to Euro 2024 is now well and truly underway, with Gareth Southgate having named his 33-man preliminary squad for upcoming friendlies against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland next month. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Lautaro Martinez has provided a fresh update on his future at Inter Milan amid speculation over a possible exit from San Siro. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Gent head into Saturday's fixture with Sint-Truiden having already secured top spot in the Belgian Pro League European playoff table. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Mechelen play host to Standard Liege on Saturday evening looking for the point that they require to secure second place in the Belgian Pro League European playoff table. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have reportedly drawn up a three-man shortlist of potential replacements for midfielder Toni Kroos. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leuven square off against Westerlo on Saturday evening looking to record the win that may be enough to secure third place in the Belgian Pro League European playoff table.