Hansi Flick found himself with limited options in the match against Real Sociedad. In a desperate attempt to turn around the 1-0 deficit, he decided to bring on Ansu Fati in the final minutes.
The idea was for the young striker to make an offensive impact and contribute to the team’s equalizer. However, Fati’s introduction had the exact opposite effect. Instead of being a decisive substitute, the player once again demonstrated that he is far from the level Barcelona requires.
According to “El Nacional”, Ansu Fati’s performance at Anoeta highlighted that he is still unable to meet the demands of a team striving to reclaim its place among Europe’s elite.
Far from providing the speed and determination expected of him, Ansu again failed to show accuracy and effectiveness. He repeatedly missed key moments and failed to capitalize on the few attacking opportunities his team had.
For Flick, this performance seems to confirm his long-standing belief: Ansu Fati does not possess the ability to be a key part of the team’s future plans.
Flick had attempted to integrate him into matches where attacking options were limited, but the German coach now appears to have concluded that Ansu is not the solution.
Flick’s decision to rely on Fati only in emergencies reflects a lack of confidence in the young striker. The coach does not view him as a reliable option for his long-term strategy, and Fati’s performance at Anoeta only served to confirm these doubts.
While Ansu remains popular with the fans, Flick needs players who can match his tactical demands, which require intensity and precision in every action. Unfortunately, Ansu does not seem to meet these criteria.
All signs point to Flick preferring to exclude Ansu Fati from the team rather than keeping him in a secondary role that would benefit neither the player nor the club.
Though the winter transfer window is not typically the ideal time for major moves, Ansu’s limited opportunities could open the door for his departure, whether on loan or via a permanent transfer.
Either way, the match at Anoeta seems to be the latest signal for Flick that Ansu Fati is not yet ready to play a key role at Barcelona, and the club will likely need to explore other solutions to support their current project.