Barcelona forward committed to Flick’s project, wants to prove he can succeed at club | OneFootball

As Barcelona get set to take on AS Monaco later tonight in their UEFA Champions League opener, Ansu Fati could be in line to make his season debut today, aiming to reclaim his place among the elite of world football.

Indeed, having returned to the squad list for tonight’s contest, the 21-year-old Spaniard is raring to go and is intent on proving that he can succeed at Barça, reports Mundo Deportivo.

A difficult road

After being plagued by injuries from 2020 to 2022, the forward spent last season on loan at Brighton, where he struggled to find the desired continuity.

However, during the season before he left on loan, when Barcelona won La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup under Xavi, he managed to score ten goals despite not being a regular starter.

Now, under the guidance of Hansi Flick, whom he trusts deeply, Ansu is determined to revive the promising form that earned him the honour of inheriting the legendary No. 10 jersey from Lionel Messi.

Fati has not played a competitive game since May. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Ansu was eager to debut last Sunday against Girona, but the coaching staff decided to exercise caution and Flick opted to hold him back for tonight’s match against Monaco.

Additionally, there was an extra layer of risk for Fati, as he had not participated in an official match since May at Brighton. His loan spell was marred by a muscle injury that kept him sidelined for 13 matches, though he managed to contribute in the latter part of the season.

Fully committed

Now, Ansu is filled with enthusiasm, fully committed to his teammates and Flick’s vision. He is more communicative than in previous seasons and shows physical strength in his upper body while being agile on his feet.

Close friends with Alejandro Balde and Ronald Araujo – who both understand the challenges of serious injuries – Fati also shares a strong bond with Gavi and is developing good chemistry with Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal as he returns to the pitch.

A successful debut tonight would be a fantastic outcome for a talented player who truly deserves another shot after the struggles he has faced.