Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has suggested a respite for Ansu Fati after giving the forward his first minutes in more than three months during Wednesday’s 4-0 Champions League rout of Borussia Dortmund.
The 22-year-old, whose Camp Nou future has appeared more and more in doubt, was introduced as a late substitute—his ninth of the campaign only—but Flick insisted the change was based on merit and not symbolic.
Fati, who rejected a January exit to fight for his place, has been a season to forget for Flick, with a total of only 191 minutes across all competitions.
But the German chief confirmed the winger’s hard work on the training pitch gave him no option asper reported by 90min.
“I don’t give away minutes,” Flick revealed after the game.
“He earned the right to play today based on how he’s been training.”
While Fati was brought on in the 85th minute to replace tired Lamine Yamal, Flick insisted the substitution was timed, adding, “We would have brought Ansu on anyway.”
The fleeting sight provided a ray of hope for Fati, whose £200,000-per-week wages and injury record have set him out as a strong favourite to depart in the summer as Barcelona hunts financial leeway.
Recent information had indicated the La Masia product had unwillingly accepted a near-term departure, but Flick’s concession of his work on training keeps a door ajar.
For now, Fati will have his mind on capitalizing on any more chances to assert himself—maybe to Barcelona or other interested parties.
As the season enters its decisive stage, a good sequence of games might revive his value on the market or, more miraculously, persuade Flick to change his mind.
The chances are still in favor of an exit, but Fati’s determination to regain his footing ensures this story is far from over.
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