Vitor Roque's First Words after Debut with Barcelona - Almost Nets a Goal!

DESIREE MARTIN/AFP

Barcelona faced a thrilling clash against Las Palmas in the 19th week of La Liga at the Gran Canaria stadium on Friday, January 5, 2024. Barca found themselves trailing early, as Munir El Haddadi scored in the 12th minute with a clever finish following a short pass from Sandro, surprising his former club.

It took until the 55th minute for Barcelona to level the score, with Ferran Torres capitalizing on a Sergi Roberto assist, making it 1-1. The victory was vital for Barcelona, as they were locked in a fierce battle for the league title with Atletico Madrid, Girona, and Real Madrid. However, one name stole the spotlight – Vitor Roque.

The 18-year-old Brazilian striker came on to replace Torres in the 78th minute. He came tantalizingly close to scoring in the 88th minute, but the Las Palmas goalkeeper managed to deflect the ball.

Barcelona's winning goal came in the 90+3 minute from the penalty spot, expertly executed by Ilkay Gundogan, securing a 2-1 victory. Vitor Roque's presence was felt on the pitch.

Vitor Roque was brought in during the January transfer window to bolster Barcelona's attacking options. With the possibility of winning several titles, including La Liga, the Champions League, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup, Barcelona believes that Vitor Roque can be a valuable asset.

The former Atletico Paranaense striker has already made an impression in his debut with Barcelona. When asked for his first comments, he said, "I am very happy with the win and my debut. It's a dream I am fulfilling. We will continue to chase more results, more victories."

The Barcelona players have welcomed Vitor Roque with open arms. He has joined a club known for giving young talents a chance to shine. Lamine Yamal, Hector Fort, Marc Guiu, and Fermin are examples of young Barcelona players who have thrived under the guidance of Xavi Hernandez.

"He is a player who will provide us with a lot of support. We must be patient with him, but you can see the quality he possesses," said Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo.

Roque is likely to get the chance to start when Barcelona faces Barbasro in the Copa del Rey later this week. He may replace Robert Lewandowski or Joao Felix in the forward position. This rotation is necessary as Barcelona faces a hectic schedule in January, with matches in La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.

On another note, Barcelona seems to be the late-game kings this season. According to statistics from Barcacentre, 27 out of the 41 points Barcelona has earned this season in La Liga have come from late goals. Barcelona has recorded victories through goals in the final 15 minutes in 9 matches this season, showcasing their ability to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.