Ansu Fati will return for Barcelona against Levante
Martin Macdonald
- 25 Sept 2021 16:13 BST
- 3 min read
Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman have revealed that Ansu Fati will make his return in this weekend's La Liga clash against Levante.
Fati missed almost the entirety of the 2020/21 season after picking up an injury in November, with his absence now at around 10 months.
There have been various setbacks from his knee injury, but Barcelona have been careful in how they treat his rehabilitation recently, and it has paid off as he is on the cusp of a return.
However, Koeman says if Fati plays against Levante, it will only be for a maximum of 15 minutes.
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"It is very important, first for the player," Koeman said on Saturday.
"We have a plan to be able to fully recover Ansu. He will have a process to have minutes. He is called up and will play a maximum of 15 minutes. The most important thing is to recover the player well, not run quickly.
"There is a long way for the player to be as he was.
Ansu cannot recover in two games or two weeks, we have to be vigilant and help the player.
"The most important thing is the player. If he is fully recovered to play it is in November, it will be in November. If it can be earlier, better, but it depends on his condition.
"With the medical staff we have to be cautious. We are talking about a young player who is going to give us a lot of quality, but little by little."
💥💥💥 YES! 💥💥💥 pic.twitter.com/tgrQausRga
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 25, 2021
Fati: I cried when I touched the ball
Fati gave an interview to the official Barcelona website when his return was announced, and he revealed that he and his family wept when he got back out on the training pitch to complete his recovery.
"The first days were difficult, I did not want to accept it (the injury), but it was what it was," the young forward explained.
"I had to accept it and it's over. Everything happens because of something and I'm more eager than ever to enjoy it again.
"The day I put on my boots for the first training session I asked the club for permission for my father and my little brother to be there.
"When they saw me jump, run and touch the ball they cried. Me, too. It was a very exciting day for my family.
"I am very grateful to all the fans. I feel very loved and this helps you in everything. In the recovery, it has helped me. Now I really want to give back to everyone the trust they have given me, I really want to return to the Camp Nou.
"It will be almost like the first day of the debut because it has been almost two years that I have not been able to play with the public. Coming back now will be very special for me and I hope I can give them a good performance and my commitment."
