Adama Traore: The Perfect Camp Nou Homecoming

Adama Traore’s second debut for Barcelona was one to remember as the Blaugrana beat Atletico Madrid 4-2 at the Camp Nou.

Goals from Gavi, Ronald Araujo, Dani Alves and a sensational volley from Jordi Alba helped Xavi’s side leapfrog Atletico into fourth in the La Liga table.

In his first game for Barcelona since sealing his loan move at the end of January, Traore made an instant impact as he was involved in the first two goals. Some fans questioned the transfer, wondering if the Spanish international would be able to fit Xavi’s tiki-taka, high pressing system, but he put those doubts to bed very early on with his goal involvements.

After the visitors went 1-0 up through Yannick Carrasco, Traore, along with the help of Pedri, pressed high against the Atletico defence and it eventually led to Alves picking out Alba, who volleyed his effort past Jan Oblak in what is a clear Goal of the Season contender. The Atletico players appealed for a foul on Koke by Traore but the equaliser stood.

Barcelona then took the lead when Gavi headed home Traore’s cross, his first assist of the season. His pace and ball control proved to be too much for Mario Hermoso to handle as a quick drop of the shoulder and burst of pace gave Traore the space to pick out Gavi at the far post, who scored his second goal of the season.

The 26-year-old winger was brilliant before being substituted for fellow new signing, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. He completed 82.6% of his passes, won five duels and also won two free-kicks. He walked off to a standing ovation from the home crowd in what was a dream return for him.

It was also an eventful return to the Camp Nou for Alves in what was the Brazilian’s first game in the stadium since returning to the club. The 38-year-old followed up his assist in the first half with a goal early in the second. Alba’s half-cleared cross was slotted home perfectly by Alves, who went over to celebrate with his manager before facing the Blaugrana fans and embracing the atmosphere.

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It was a positive game for Uruguayan fans as Ronald Araujo scored his third goal of the season and Luis Suarez secured a goal and assist as he returned to the Camp Nou as a league champion with Atletico.

Only Real Madrid have picked up more points than Barcelona in the last 10 league games and Xavi’s side are two points behind Real Betis with one game in hand. They travel to Espanyol for their next league fixture before facing Napoli in the Europa League.

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