Fati delivers the goods as Barca sink Valencia
ANSU FATI marked his first start in almost a year by scoring one goal and creating another as Barcelona came from behind to beat Valencia 3-1 at Camp Nou last night.
The victory moved Ronald Koeman’s side up to seventh in the table on 15 points, five behind league leaders Real Sociedad but with a game in hand.
‘It was really important to get the win. It’s a key week for us in the season and we’ve started it well,’ midfielder Frenkie de Jong said.
‘We need to build our confidence, which is really important for the team. It’s always tough when you concede early on but we bounced back well, playing with intensity and our attitude was first class.’
Despite being allowed a full capacity crowd for the first time since March 2020, Barca’s ground was only half full - and those in attendance were silenced after five minutes as Jose Gaya’s longrange strike swerved into the far corner past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Barca responded well and Fati levelled after 13 minutes with a wonderful curled finished from the edge of the box.
The youngster was then felled inside the box by Gaya four minutes before the break and Memphis Depay stepped up to net from the spot.
Carlos Soller hit the woodwork after the break as Valencia pushed for an equaliser and Guedes forced Ter Stegen into a smart stop at his near post as the visitors ramped up the pressure.
The home side held firm, however, and were able to secure all three points when substitute Philippe Coutinho fired in from close range five minutes from the end following tenacious work from Sergino Dest.
Meanwhile, Juventus continued their march up the Serie A standings with a 1-0 win over Roma in Turin, as Moise Kean’s unorthodox early goal sealed a fourth consecutive league win for the Turin club.
Rodrigo Bentancur’s header ricocheted off Kean’s head and into the back of the net after 16 minutes in the game’s decisive moment. But Jose Mourinho’s side were furious when Tammy Abraham put the ball in the net but the goal was not allowed to stand because referee Daniele Orsato had already whistled for a penalty. Jordan Veretout took it and his effort was saved by Wojciech Szczesny.
Juve are seventh with 14 points, level with Lazio and Atalanta above them and one point behind fourth-placed Roma.
The result continues their recovery from a shock failure to win any of their opening four league matches. It also marked Juve’s third consecutive 1-0 win and a seventh game in a row unbeaten in all competitions.