Flick has a tough schedule ahead after the international break. FC Barcelona will end the month of October facing Sevilla, Bayern and Real Madrid in a row. Changes are needed to the starting eleven to ensure they are fit, so the German coach is preparing a surprise for the return of the culers to action.
Next Sunday, October 20, FC Barcelona hosts Sevilla at Montjuic, and Hansi Flick intends to give Ansu Fati a starting place. The Spanish striker would have his first start so far this season. This would confirm his physical recovery and leave behind some problems that have prevented him from performing as expected.
There are many consecutive games and, on first sight, Sevilla is the easiest one. Barcelona needs to have the players rested and ready. The plan is for Ansu Fati to start and play a little more than 60 minutes. Flick aims to raise his morale and try to get him back to his best version.
Even though the match against Sevilla asks for rotation, the reality is that Hansi Flick wants to be cautious. These matches are always tough and there will be few replacements. The return of some injured players is expected and, in addition, Ansu Fati will start. From there, everything else will fall into place as initially planned.
Sevilla: a Special Team for Ansu Fati
Flick knows that the match against Sevilla is very special for Ansu Fati and he intends to take advantage of it. He will be a starter and will get a lot of minutes.
After his unsuccessful loan to Brighton, Ansu Fati returned to Barça without having a guaranteed place. The option of Sevilla appeared on the horizon, as revealed by Madrid-Barcelona, which held talks with the Spanish striker.
In this regard, the then newcomer García Pimienta even contacted Ansu Fati. The two parties were willing to reach an agreement for his loan.
But then Ansu Fati was injured again in training. The deal was impossible to carry out and he ended up staying at Barça. Now, a few months later, he can make his debut as a starter in this League against Sevilla itself.
Flick's plan is clear: to get Ansu Fati back. He wants to give him minutes, he knows he's a player with a great goal-scoring instinct that can be important, but he will need time. He is willing to wait.