African-Born Wonderkid Stars Barca Return To Winning Ways
03 February, 2020
LaLiga
Result: FC Barcelona 2-1 Levante
Date: 02 Februay 2020
Venue: Camp Nou
While Lionel Messi endured a frustrating evening in front of goal, African-born wonderkid Ansu Fati bagged a brace to guide FC Barcelona back to winning ways on Sunday night.
Barca boss Quique Setien made only one change from their thumping win over Leganes in the Copa del Rey, as Ivan Rakitic was recalled in place of Arturo Vidal.
Blaugrana started brightly and almost opened the scoring in the 13th minute after Fati cut inside to setup Messi but the Argentine's strike sailed just wide of the post.
Antoine Griezmann should have found the back of the net four minutes later after being sent clear on goal but he guided a low shot wide, despite being one-on-one with Levante goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez.
Messi was denied the breakthrough for Barca in the 28th minute by Fernandez but the Argentine became the provider two minutes later, as Fati broke the deadlock two minutes later with a low strike from the left side of the box.
Fati gave Setien's charges a two-goal lead two minutes later after he twisted and turned on the left channel and fired a low strike that beat Fernandez at the near post to complete his brace.
Nelson Semedo came close to adding with ten minutes left of the first stanza after unleashing a left footed strike from just outside the box that rattled the top of the crossbar, while Griezmann squandered a glorious chance from six-yards out just before the interval.
Barca were yet to find their rhythm early in the second stanza and Levante nearly pulled a goal back ten minutes from the break, as Gonzalo Melero latched onto a cut-back in the box but his effort was saved by Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Messi had a chance to get on the scorehseet for the Catalan giants in the 74th minute after dribbling his way clear at the near post but his low strike was saved by Fernandez with his legs.
Ruben Rochina eventually scored a consolation goal for Levante in stoppage time after drilling a low strike from just outside the box with the help of a deflection, that caught ter Stegen flat-footed, as his attempted save only guided the ball to the back of the net.
Nevertheless, it was too little too late for Levante as Barcelona held for the win and now sit three points behind league leaders Real Madrid.
Source: www.thedailystar.net