In a momentous turn of events, 18-year-old Vitor Roque marked his eagerly awaited debut with FC Barcelona during a thrilling clash against Las Palmas at the Gran Canaria Stadium. The Brazilian forward, affectionately known as ‘Tigrinho,’ entered the field in the 78th minute, aiming to contribute to a Barça comeback, and he did just that. In the short span he played, Roque showcased glimpses of his explosive playing style and nearly found the back of the net with a chance created by Joao Félix.
In a match filled with suspense and excitement, Vitor Roque, the 18-year-old prodigy, finally graced the field wearing the iconic FC Barcelona colors. His debut unfolded in the challenging setting of the Gran Canaria Stadium, where Barça faced Las Palmas. Roque, who joined the team six months ago, made his entrance in the 78th minute under the watchful eyes of fans eager to witness the emergence of a promising talent.
The substitution of Ferran Torres for the former Athletico Paranaense star injected new life into Barça’s attack. Alongside ‘Menino’ Joao Félix and Lamine Yamal, Roque formed part of a vibrant and youthful forward line. The synergy between the Portuguese and Spanish talents bore fruit, resulting in the second goal for the Catalans. Roque, in his brief appearance, fought tenaciously, revealing sparks of his explosiveness and the threat he poses by exploiting the defense’s vulnerabilities.
12 Promising Minutes
As the final substitution, Roque had limited time on the pitch compared to his teammates. He made seven interventions, the same as Cancelo, showcasing his hunger for every opportunity. Despite being on the field for a short duration, Roque’s impact was palpable. He completed a successful pass, won a possession, and committed a foul, underlining his aggressiveness and goal-scoring instincts.
Remarkably, ‘Tigrinho’ emerged as the player with the most shots for Barça in the entire game, attempting three shots. This exceeded the attempts made by Gündogan, Ferran Torres, Raphinha, and Lewandowski. According to Opta, Roque also boasted the highest average expected goals (xG) per shot. VR19 had an impressive 0.96, while Gündogan registered 0.84. The rest of the team lagged significantly below 0.2, emphasizing Roque’s efficiency in front of goal.
Post-Match Reaction
Post-match, Vitor Roque expressed his joy and gratitude on social media, stating, “Very happy for the victory and my debut. A dream I am fulfilling. We continue to aim for more, glory to God.” His teammates, including Iñaki Peña, Fermín López, Lamine Yamal, Sergi Roberto, Héctor Fort, Ander Astralaga, and Endrick, showered him with congratulations, recognizing the significance of his memorable debut.
As ‘Tigrinho’ sets the stage ablaze with his dynamic presence, Barça fans eagerly anticipate witnessing the evolution of this young sensation in the games to come. Vitor Roque’s debut marks the beginning of a promising journey in the illustrious annals of FC Barcelona.
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