KEY POINTS

  • Barcelona defeated Dynamo Kiev 1-0 Tuesday
  • Ansu Fati scored a 70th-minute winner
  • It was Fati's 50th appearance for Barcelona

FC Barcelona winger Ansu Fati heaped praise on his side after leading the Catalans to a 1-0 win over Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League on Tuesday. The 19-year-old said "we depend on ourselves" and are "going to fight."

Fati's 70th-minute strike was the only goal scored in the game, leading Barcelona to second spot in Champions League Group E. Barcelona suffered a 3-0 loss in their opening two matches before winning both their ties against Dynamo Kiev.

The young forward also dedicated the victory, which was Barcelona's first in as many as four games, to his teammate Sergio Aguero, who has been ruled out for three months with a cardiological issue.

"The win is dedicated to Kun Aguero for what he's gone through. He contributes a lot and now he's going to be out for a while. The win is for him and I hope he's with us soon. It was a good win, we're really happy, we're there and we're going to fight. We depend on ourselves to get out of the group. Now we have to face Benfica and Bayern Munich and we're going to give everything. We knew it was an important week," Fati said in a post-match interview, Barca Blaugranes reported.

Fati, who missed the majority of last season due to a Mensical Laceration problem, recently returned to action. He managed to make just six appearances for Barcelona in the 2021-22 campaign before once again sustaining an injury.

A knee injury meant Fati missed as many as two matches, while Barcelona continued to struggle and they are currently placed ninth in the league table.

There was another worrying moment in the second half Tuesday when Fati went down and appeared to be in real pain. However, the left-winger managed to carry on.

Ansu Fati (R) is leading the next generation of young Barcelona talents.
Ansu Fati (R) is leading the next generation of young Barcelona talents. AFP / LLUIS GENE

Fati, who was making his 50th appearance for Barcelona, admitted that he did find it tough going against Dynamo Kiev but is delighted to be back on the field for the Catalans.

"Physically it was a little hard. But every player likes playing these games. I have to be ready, get some rhythm, return little by little. It was an important day and the coach gave me the chance to play," added Fati, who has netted 16 goals and six assists in 50 competitive matches for Barcelona so far.

Fati, who earlier succeeded Lionel Messi as Barcelona's new No. 10, signed a new deal with the club last month that would keep him at Camp Nou at least until 2027.

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