Abdessamad Ezzalzouli – commonly known as just Abde – has been one of the biggest positive sensations among Barcelona youngsters, although the Moroccan did not evolve through the ranks of the Catalan club. Currently, he plies his trade on loan at Osasuna, and continues to impress with another spectacular goal scored yesterday.
Once again, Abde showcased why is he one of Osasuna’s threatening offensive assets and one of the reasons why he has such a great campaign at the Basque side. The Moroccan youngster, aside from being an electric presence down the left flank, scored a beautiful goal in the match between Arrasate’s men and Almería, working well to prove he is worthy of a return to the Catalan capital.
With a 1-0 lead in the hands of the home team, during a quick counterattack of Osasuna, Abde received the ball around the middle of the opposition half, and after drifting inside to get into a better position, launched an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box, leaving no chance for Fernando Martínez to stop the ball from falling into the top left corner.
With this inch-perfect finish, Abde has already scored 6 times this season, with 2 in the Copa del Rey and the remaining 4 in La Liga. While his finishing might still not be up to the level a starting winger at Barcelona should possess, this season has been a major breakthrough for the talented youngster, and is expected to spend the next campaign under Xavi’s orders.
Having made his debut last year in the first team of Barça, Abde spent this season on loan at Osasuna, where played an important role in the Rojillos’ impressive season, making 31 appearances as the main threat creator down the left flank of Jagoba Arrasate’s team. He also contributed crucially to a historic cup campaign as Osasuna reached the final of the Copa del Rey.
Most probably, Abde will return to Barcelona in the summer and do at least the preseason with the first team of the Blaugrana, where he has a contract until 2026.
Although Yannick Carrasco of Atlético Madrid is seriously considered as an option to the left flank, Abde’s great performances raise doubts about whether the Belgian’s acquisition is necessary for the Catalan club.
