A 3:4 victory over Intercity from the third division, in extra time, in the last 32 stage of the Spanish Cup, was not the way Barcelona wanted to open the year 2023. The end of the game - indeed.
After 103 minutes of suffering, Enso Fati sent the ball in and put Barcelona out of their misery, and there is nothing Barca fans want to see in the new year more than goals from Fati, and preferably winning goals.
The year 2022 was not kind to the great Spanish talent of Barca.
There was an injury in the first part of the season, there were beautiful moments when he came back from it, but in the end there were mostly doubts.
Pati scored five official goals in all competitions last year, the end of which was particularly bitter.
Even though he was included in the Spain and Luis Enrique World Cup squad, he played 44 minutes and contributed nothing.
Patty.
Will he continue his ability tonight against Atlético? Photo: AFP
When he returned from Qatar, Fati returned to the Barcelona lineup and started in the derby match against Espanyol.
After 62 bad minutes he was replaced, leaving Xavi to defend him: "He lacked the sharpness that the whole team lacked," said the Barca coach.
"I see him growing and growing, I see him improving all the time."
These Xavi things are very important.
Patty at his peak is one of the pleasant memories that Barcelona has left in recent years, and there is a real fear that it is "exploiting" before our eyes.
The speed, the control of the ball, the wieners, the accurate kick - all these things, which he showed even before the age of 18, made the young Spaniard a fantasy for football fans.
Some argue that the young Patty was better than other big players at the age when he burst into consciousness, but the point is that Patty has yet to leverage it the way others have.
The injuries are the main reason he was stopped, although the first times he always came back from injury with goals that increased expectations.
Now the big question is: can Patty be brought back to the same level?
And if so - how?
Patty.
Can change a season, photo: AP
Xavi guards him
Barcelona, ever since the first injury, has guarded its diamond at all costs.
Xavi makes sure that the media does not make it too difficult for him, and it is clear that this time his return will be gradual and without pressure.
This time Patty seems determined to pick himself up on his own.
"I'm happy that I scored, because foreigners give a striker confidence," he said after the important goal against Intercity, and at the same time answered the critics: "I know there are many skeptics, but I'm calm and working hard to get back to where I used to be. I promise to give everything for the club and these fans ".
Tonight, against Atletico Madrid, he has a good chance to do it.
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