In Sofia, Ansu Fati offered Monaco a familiar reminder of his instinct in front of goal. The 23-year-old forward scored on his first start of the season, finding the net against CSKA Sofia after returning to action last weekend.
Quick facts
- Ansu Fati, 23, is now a Monaco player on a permanent deal.
- He made his first appearance of the campaign against Toulouse last weekend.
- His first start came away to CSKA Sofia on Thursday.
- Fati scored shortly before half-time.
- He controlled the ball on the edge of the area with his right foot before finishing across goal with his left.
The goal arrived just before the interval. Receiving possession outside the box, Fati brought it under control with his right foot and swept a left-footed finish beyond the goalkeeper.
It was a compact moment, but one that recalled the scorer Barcelona saw emerge as a teenager. Fati made an immediate impression in the Catalan first team, where his ability to turn limited space into a chance marked him out early.
Injuries have repeatedly interrupted that progress and kept him away from the pitch for long spells. Yet when fit, he retains the sharpness around the penalty area that made him one of Spain’s most watched young attackers.
After his brief return against Toulouse, the Sofia start represented another step in his Monaco season. The finish supplied the clearest sign so far that his relationship with the goal remains intact.
