Hansi Flick explains zero minutes for Ansu Fati in crucial Getafe clash

Ansu Fati once hailed as one of FC Barcelona's brightest young stars finds himself in a challenging phase of his career. After a season-long loan spell at Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League, Fati returned to his boyhood club, hoping to reignite his career under new head coach Hansi Flick.

However, his journey back to prominence has been anything but smooth, with injuries and limited game time continuing to stall his progress. The 21-year-old winger had an explosive start to his senior career at Barcelona, showing incredible potential with his pace, creativity, and goal-scoring ability. But a series of injuries and mental setbacks derailed his development, leaving him struggling to regain his form.

Fati’s return to Barcelona this past summer appeared to present an ideal opportunity for him to reset and impress under Flick’s management. Unfortunately, his comeback was marred by an untimely injury that ruled him out of Barcelona’s pre-season tour in the USA.

With Fati sidelined, his chance to shine in front of Flick and stake his claim for a regular starting role vanished. He only recently returned to full fitness and managed to earn a few minutes during Barcelona's UEFA Champions League fixture against Monaco.

Expectations were high for him to feature in the La Liga match against Getafe, especially with key players like Raphinha racking up significant minutes and some midfielders unavailable. However, despite being fit, Fati remained on the bench for the entire game.

What did Hansi Flick say?

After the match, Flick was asked why Fati didn’t see any action in what was a narrow 1-0 victory. The German coach explained his reasoning: "Ansu is at 100%, but the match was tough and we decided to bring other players." Flick’s cautious approach stemmed from the physicality of the Getafe team, known for their aggressive style of play.

With such a slim lead, Flick had little room for error and likely felt that introducing Fati, who had just recovered from an injury, into a physically demanding game posed unnecessary risks. While Fati is now fully fit, Flick’s decision to leave him on the bench reflects the delicate balancing act Barcelona must maintain. Managing the young Spaniard's return to top-level football is crucial, and rushing him back into action in tough matches could set back his progress once again.