It would seem that the issues at FC Barcelona continue to multiply in a rather unorthodox way. For most clubs, the more that time passes the easier it is to reflect on their issues and sort them out. At Barcelona, however, it would seem that the team is currently facing new challenges every time they step onto the pitch.
Their latest problems seem to emerge from the recent defeat to CA Osasuna over at El Sadar. Heading into the game knowing that it would be a complicated affair, Hansi Flick still decided to be courageous with his lineup rather than playing it safe by fielding his regular starters.
Ultimately, the game resulted in a 4-2 defeat for Barcelona and one that will undoubtedly leave the team frustrated. However, while it is true that the Catalan giants suffered as a collective unit, there is perhaps some individual disappointment for a certain young forward in it as well.
That forward, as pointed out by Mundo Deportivo, would be none other than Ansu Fati. The young 21-year-old forward looked poised to enter this game near the final minutes and possibly try his own luck at helping Barcelona come back into the game, but ended up not coming on at all.
His substitution seemed to have been taken for granted once he had warmed up and was even ready near the board to come on, but a certain incident concerning Sergi Dominguez changed the entire trajectory of his possible return to a historic stadium for him. Instead, Hector Fort had to be brought on after Dominguez seemed to have suffered a cramp in the game.
A bitter moment for Ansu Fati, who returned to his seat without complaining too much. Unfortunately, however, this decision seems to highlight a much bigger problem for the young forward. Since his return from injury, the player has barely participated in any game and only had a subtle cameo against Monaco in the Champions League for barely a few minutes.
It just seems like, at the moment at least, Hansi Flick does not seem to rely on Ansu Fati as a key forward at the moment. Despite initial reports claiming that the German coach was quite impressed by the youngster, Flick’s decision to keep him benched for this long may suggest otherwise.