Fati’s injury troubles have continued in recent months, as a preseason setback impacted his readiness for the USA tour.
The Spain international was determined to earn his spot under Flick, so the injury was a major setback for him. While Barcelona began the La Liga season with five consecutive wins, Fati had to watch from the sidelines. However, Flick chose to include him in the matchday squad for Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League opener against AS Monaco on September 19.
Despite only getting a brief run off the bench as 10-man Barcelona lost 2-1, Flick was encouraged by Fati’s early signs of recovery in his first La Blaugrana appearance in 15 months.
I’ve spoken to him, and he prefers to play on the left wing, but he has the qualities to excel centrally as well,” Flick said, according to Mundo Deportivo. “He looked very different in July and has been excellent in training. Now he just needs time, and we have to manage his return carefully.
Flick indicated that Fati won’t be rushed back into the starting lineup, but he could feature again off the bench in their La Liga match against Villarreal on September 22.
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