Ansu Fati’s injury return provides new test for Xavi
Robin Bairner
- 28 Mar 2022 18:48 BST
- 3 min read
Ansu Fati is back for Barcelona in yet another boost for the suddenly buoyant Camp Nou side, yet his return offers a fresh test of head coach Xavi.
The Barca legend has got just about everything right in recent weeks as he has silenced doubters thanks to a string of excellent results – plus the bonus of a fine January transfer campaign that has helped to transform the fortunes of the team.
Since losing to Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey on January 20, Barcelona have won nine of their last 12 games, finishing up before the international break with a famous 4-0 victory in El Clasico against Real Madrid.
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Barca are now up to third in La Liga and stand an excellent chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season – a task that did not appear at all certain under previous boss Ronald Koeman.
Now the squad is set to be strengthened by the return of Ansu, but Xavi must keep a cool head when it comes to using the young attacker tipped as the long-term successor to Lionel Messi.
He has played only 10 matches this season, missing 28, but has impressed when available, scoring five goals and setting up one more.
Xavi must show Ansu patience
Ansu should not be quickly rushed back into action. Indeed, according to AS, club doctors have suggested that he must take part in 10 training sessions before he takes to the field again. This means he would likely miss matches against Sevilla and Eintracht Frankfurt.
The temptation to rush him back must be resisted by Xavi. Instead, Ansu must be brought back into the team in a sensible manner, allowing him to build his fitness so as to minimise his chances of suffering a relapse. The coach will doubtless have learned for his experience in January, when the winger managed just a couple of games before relapsing.
👀 Things just keep getting better at Barca.
Ansu is back!pic.twitter.com/XdWjkgnzo6— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) March 28, 2022
Xavi has an advantage here compared to Koeman: the January arrivals of Adama Traore, Ferran Torres and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have allowed him greater flexibility offensively, and with the team in form, there is little need to rush Ansu back for his first match since that cup loss to Athletic in January.
Barcelona can scarcely afford another major setback for Ansu, who has been plagued by injuries for the last 18 months.
Xavi has shown clear thinking at Barca thus far: don’t expect him to make a mistake here.
