After over a year, Ansu Fati made his return to FC Barcelona last week, coming off the bench in a UEFA Champions League match against AS Monaco.
The 21-year-old hadn’t played for Barcelona since August of last year, as he spent the previous season on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion, followed by an injury during pre-season this summer.
Manager Hansi Flick has praised the young attacking talent but has been cautious with his playing time, leaving Fati out of the last two games against Villarreal and Getafe.
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Now, according to Mundo Deportivo, Fati is hopeful that Flick will give him minutes in Barcelona’s upcoming match against CA Osasuna at El Sadar on Saturday.
The fixture holds special significance for Fati, as it’s the stadium where he scored his first-ever goal for Barcelona.
On August 31, 2019, at just 16 years and 304 days old, Ansu Fati scored his first La Liga goal in a 2-2 draw against Osasuna.
That goal made him the youngest scorer in Barcelona’s history and the third youngest in La Liga, cementing his place in Spanish football’s record books.
It marked the beginning of what appeared to be a meteoric rise for the young forward, who was quickly seen as one of the brightest talents in world football.
However, a series of injuries, including multiple knee surgeries and muscle problems, have hampered his progress in recent years. Now, Fati is focused on regaining his top form under Hansi Flick’s guidance.
The La Masia graduate will be hoping for a chance to shine once again at El Sadar, a stadium where he created some of his earliest fond memories.