The Ansu Fati Show: FC Barcelona Versus Villarreal Result And What We Learned

In their opening La Liga game of the season on Sunday, FC Barcelona took on Villarreal at the Camp Nou. Here’s the result, what happened, and what we learned from the tie.

No surprises in Koeman’s First XI

As expected it was a 4-2-3-1 from the Dutchman with double pivots Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong plus 17-year-old whizzkid Ansu Fati starting on the left wing.

In central attacking midfield, Philippe Coutinho would try to feed interchanging target men and right wingers Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann.

That boy Ansu

It had been a quiet opening quarter of a hour, with neither side able to create clear chances as Barça were sometimes at risk of being caught on the counter.

Latching on to a low driven Jordi Alba ball across the box, however, one of soccer’s hottest talents smashed it into the roof of the net with a cracking first time finish. 1-0.

And again, four minutes later

Philippe Coutinho enjoying acres of space when charging from his own half to the 18-yarder, he located the youngster on the left flank who merely had to cut in and hit home to his nearest bottom corner. If it weren’t already clear after his breakout season in 2019/2020, it should be now. Barça truly have a prodigy on their hands here.

Fati tried to return to the favor

Already set up by Alba and Coutinho himself, the recently-made Spain international provided a great chance for Messi who had his shot blocked by Sergio Asenjo. What an evening.

Then he won a penalty

Hacked down by Mario Gaspar, who couldn’t handle quick feet darting by him, Fati paved the way for Messi to score from the spot. Asenjo got a hand to it, and should have done better, but still the captain will take his first of the term.

A fine save denied Coutinho

Half volleying from close range, Ansejo tipped the Little Magician’s effort over the bar approaching half time. Deserving of Barça’s fourth of the night, the build up to the chance was simply magnificent.

Pau Torres is already doing the Blaugrana favors

Once strongly linked to the Catalans, Fati’s international teammate scored an own goal that guaranteed Koeman’s men went down the tunnel 4-0 up. The way he converted Messi’s cross appeared as though he was already donning the club’s colors, but maybe he never will after such a blooper.

Fireworks early in the second half

A display let off twice outside the Camp Nou, ESPN’s Samuel Marsden made a wisecrack that this was to commemorate not just the local La Mercè festival, but also the impressive first 45 Fati put in.

Messi came close to bagging his brace

With a trademark run from the right on to his left foot, the skipper fired off a ripping shot that Ansejo again did excellently in getting fingers to while keeping a fifth out.

Pedri and Dembele were Koeman’s first substitutes

The masses had already expected Ousmane Dembele, who came on for Coutinho. Yet he entered the pitch with Fati’s fellow 17-year-old Pedri, who was allowed to make his La Liga debut 20 minutes from time when replacing the La Masia pearl.

They were followed by Francisco Trincao and Miralem Pjanic

Likewise debuting, the Portuguese winger from Braga put Griezmann out of his misery and ex-Juventus man Pjanic supplanted positional rival Busquets on 78.

The latter impressing with his mobile passing, and drawing calls to already see him stand in for Busi permanently, Trincao came close with a shot saved by Ansejo as was Messi in the dying moments of a goalless second installment.

Barca’s first win is in the bag

Following on from a perfect 3-0 record in preseason, Koeman has his competitive tenure off on the best footing possible. Positive points were obviously Fati’s Man of the Match-deserving turn, a freer Messi able to play without the pressure of being depended on to do everything, and improved defensive solidity aided by the double pivots.

Though quiet in the second half, Coutinho deserves praise but less can be said about another forgettable showing from Griezmann.

On to Celta Vigo they go midweek. And though Barca are winless in six at the Estadio de Balaídos, there is every chance of breaking that streak playing in this fashion.