Adama Traore sets tone as Barcelona look to sustain La Liga momentum

Adama Traore will look to cement his status as the new darling of Barcelona this weekend after an impressive start to his Nou Camp career. Last weekend, he delighted fans in the 4-2 win over Atletico Madrid. One particular moment stood out when he nipped past Mario Hermoso, tumbled to the ground and a roar surged around the ground. Some stood to applaud, others yelled and pumped their firsts, convinced a free-kick earned a few metres into Atletico Madrid's half, with only two minutes gone, would set the tone for what was to come. For Traore, it was the opening note of an hour-long recital, the winger terrorising and harrying the Atletico defence, Hermoso in particular, until finally he began to fade. In the 61st minute, he was replaced and the Barcelona fans stood again, this time to give him a standing ovation. By then, Traore had set up a goal for Gavi, his drive to the line furnished with a perfectly lifted cross for the smallest player on the pitch to head in.

He had run and crossed, defended and tackled. At the very least Traore was a key component in a rejuvenating victory, which propelled Barcelona two points above their opponents and back into La Liga's top four. Arguably, he was its driving force. "It was a great debut for Adama," said Barca coach Xavi Hernandez. "We want him to go at people and he'll give us a lot. He's a great signing." There were circumstances that meant supporters were particularly eager to get behind Traore, who was playing his first game after signing on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Traore was seen as the replacement for Ousmane Dembele, not least because the club had said so in one of its many failed attempts to persuade Dembele to leave or extend his contract, which expires in the