Ansu Fati's first start for 344 days

Ansu Fati is getting more and more back into the swing of things, with Ronald Koeman giving him more and more playing time with every game. And against Valencia, he was in the starting line-up for the first time in 344 days.

He hadn’t started a game since the one with Betis on 7 November 2020, when he picked up the fateful injury.

In the four games he has played since returning, he has now amassed 116 minutes and scored two goals, both of which have been simply spectacular. 

He was one of the most active players against Valencia. Every time he got the ball one sensed something was about to happen, and indeed, as well as scoring a delightful equaliser, it was a foul on him in a clear goalscoring position that led to the penalty just before half time. 

Valencia again

This was not the first time Valencia had suffered the Ansu Fati magic. In his first ever game against the side, at Camp Nou on 14 September 2019, the day he became the youngest ever starter in the stadium (just 16 years and 318 months) he not only scored but also gave an assist.