Barcelona 4-0 Villarreal: Ansu Fati scores a double in Ronald Koeman’s first game

Ansu Fati helped Barcelona put their tumultuous summer behind with two goals in 18 minutes and gave Ronald Koeman a resounding victory in his managerial debut at the Camp Nou.

For all that has been said about Luis Suárez and Lionel Messi, it has been the 17-year-old who has written all the headlines with a brilliant first from the center of Jordi Alba.

He scored again three minutes later, this time from a pass from Philippe Coutinho. The former Liverpool player was allowed to wander through Villarreal’s midfield before releasing his teammate, and Fati was once again lethal.

Ansu Fati scored a double in Barcelona’s 4-0 win over Villarreal in Ronald Koeman’s first game

The stunning 17-year-old showed impressive composure as Barcelona prevailed

Lionel Messi scored from the penalty spot and Barcelona achieved a comfortable victory

He then took a foul from Mario Gaspar and Messi stepped forward to shoot the penalty just below Sergio Asenjo’s plunge into Villarreal’s goal.

Villarreal completed a nightmare first half when Pau Torres put in his own net from a Messi center.

A delighted Koeman praised Fati and the way his team had responded in his first game in charge.

He said: ‘I’m very happy with the way we played in the first half. We swap positions and seize our opportunities.

“Ansu is a young player who needs to find some consistency, but today he has shown again that he has a great future at Barcelona.”

There was a word in the coach’s ear when he was taken out in the second half. Koeman added: ‘I criticized him in the last preseason friendly and told him coming out today that the level was definitely there.

It was an impressive first game in charge of the new Barcelona manager, Ronald Koeman

Fati is congratulated by his Barcelona teammates after scoring his team’s second goal

Asked about playing without a number nine in the absence of Suarez or a replacement for Suarez, Koeman said: ‘We have the players to play this system. We gave away the ball too much in the second half, but that was the only negative.

It’s always good to have one (an absolute center forward) but we can play perfectly well without one. ”

There were no more goals in the second half but Koeman was able to debut Francisco Trincao, Pedri and Miralem Pjanic in a very satisfactory first outing as a manager.

Philippe Coutinho, back from his assignment, drew attention and also provided assistance

Villarreal defender Pau Torres scored an own goal and his team suffered a heavy defeat

There was frustration for Villarreal coach Unai Emery, whose team disappointed

This was supposed to be a difficult first test for the Dutch manager who lost his first game in charge of the Dutch national team 1-0 to England and failed to earn his debuts on the bench at Everton and Southampton. But Unai Emery’s side served his worst performance of the season.

Emery has already lost his 13 visits to the Camp Nou with six different teams. His decision to play 4-4-2 with Dani Parejo and former Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin in the midfield failed miserably.

For Barça it was the perfect way to heal the wounds of their 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich 44 days earlier and their delivery of the national title last season.

“Ansu has a great future,” Koeman repeated. His display even helped bring a smile back to Messi’s face.

“I’m trying to seize every opportunity I get,” the teenager said after the man of the match performance. As it is the road for Barcelona in recent times, every ray of light has a cloud attached to it.

The Spanish sensation still has two years left on his contract and has yet to renegotiate his contract after giving him a first-team roster number. Barcelona will need him to sign a long-term contract sooner rather than later.

Recap the action that took place below.