TEEN STAR Ansu Fati fired Barcelona within touching distance of Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga.
Following a slip up away at Valencia last week, and Real’s wins including a derby triumph against Atletico Madrid, Barca had the perfect response.
Ansu Fati fired Barcelona within touching distance of Real Madrid at the top of LaLigaCredit: EPA
With striker Luis Suarez sidelined for four months, 17-year-old Fati was brought into the starting 11 and immediately linked up with Lionel Messi.
On the half hour mark Argentine great Messi received the ball, spun and perfectly guided his pass into the path of Fati who did the rest with a cool finish.
Almost instantly the Spanish champions doubled their lead with the same two players combining.
Messi had the ball glued to his feet a minute after assisting Fati for the opening goal and the Nou Camp legend again played it off to the teenager, who inside the box got it onto his left and finished for 2-0.
It is only Fati’s fourth league goal of the season as he makes a case to boss Quique Setien that he should be a regular starter in the team.
Antoine Griezmann – who signed for £108million from Atletico in the summer – should have made it three before half-time after Nelson Semedo laid it off to the Frenchman, whose effort dragged wide.
Griezmann has struggled for consistency since his mega-money move scoring only seven league goals in 20 games.
The World Cup winner has been forced to play out wide since joining Barca, having been deployed through the middle in recent seasons for Atletico.
Messi’s men had to deal with some late drama at the Nou Camp as Ruben Rochina pulled one back in added time.
With the three points looking under threat, Levante put a ball into the box which Barca managed to scramble away but as Rochina picked up the loose ball, this time his effort sailed over the bar.
Real currently top the table three points above their rivals.
Fati has been found himself in the Barca team since Luis Suarez got injuredCredit: AP:Associated Press
Lionel Messi twice assisted Fati against LevanteCredit: Getty Images – Getty
New Barcelona manager, Quique Setién, celebrates after Lionel Messi bags only goal in his first match in charge
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
