Valencia head coach Ruben Baraja expressed his anticipation for witnessing more from Ghanaian talent Ali Fadal after the youngster’s senior debut on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, in the Copa del Rey match against lower-tier side Arosa SC.
Despite only being on the field for 19 minutes, Fadal left a positive impression on both the coach and supporters.
The La Liga club secured victory with a lone goal by Ukrainian striker Roman Yarechuk in the eighth minute, propelling them to the next round of the Copa del Rey.
In a post-match statement, Coach Baraja praised Fadal’s potential and highlighted the significance of the young midfielder gaining experience with the first team.
He remarked, “Ali Fadal has a great future but is in the process of growth. It’s the same case with Camus. Having minutes with the first team is positive to assess their options in the club.”
While Fadal’s debut was his first official match with Valencia, he had previously showcased his skills in friendlies. In December 2022, during the Qatar World Cup break, he played against Leeds U21 and Clermont. Additionally, he was on the bench during the preseason victory against Nottingham Forest later in the summer.