Ansu Fati, three kicks at the crisis: with Monaco, three goals in 72 minutes

Ansu Fati gives three firm kicks to the crisis, and also to the feeling of those who, at 23 years old yet to turn, had already begun to brand him as a former prodigy gone into a decidedly premature decline. The Guinea-Bissau-born Spanish striker, who not yet 20 became one of the sensations of Barcelona’s cantera, is coming off two years studded with problems. But, overnight, he seems to have put them behind him thanks to a memorable double in a Monaco jersey that came in a game of which he played only the second half. In total, his goalscoring for the Principality team is already three in just 72 minutes of play.

The opportunity to return to high levels for good was the Ligue 1 match that saw his Monaco side beat Metz 5-2. Here Ansu Fati started from the bench, taking over from Paris Brunner after halftime. Already during the first minute of the second half (indeed, 38 seconds after the referee’s whistle), the young striker scored the momentary 2-1 goal. Ligue 1, moreover, had not seen such an early goal for a rookie in the league since 2014 (Nantes’ Bammou scored it). Then at’83’ came the double, this time with a winning header.

Ansu Fati, in his first game in France’s top league, had actually already made his debut in the Monaco jersey. He had done so in the Champions League, entering in the final of the match that the red and whites lost to Bruges 4-1. However, the only goal of his still bears his signature, making his current average almost unbelievable: 3 goals to his credit in 72 minutes on the field.

Unbelievable numbers, when you consider that since August 2023 to date Ansu Fati had scored a total of just two league goals. He had done so for Brighton, also netting two goals in the Europa League just for the Seagulls coached at the time by Roberto De Zerbi. Otherwise, only nine tokens for Barcelona, where his specific weight had gradually waned following two major thigh injuries. Now, two years later, the still Blaugrana-owned talent seems to be starting again for real. With the hope, this time, of not stopping again.