Ansu Fati: Enough with flashes? A bittersweet night against Mallorca

FC Barcelona defeated Mallorca (1-0) in a match where Ansu Fati was the big surprise in Hansi Flick's alternative XI. The '10' returned to the lineup in LaLiga for the first time since matchday 10 (5-1 against Sevilla) with a discreet performance. As a left winger, the player from Bissau was very active in the first half, although erratic in finishing.

Ansu tried with 4 shots in the first 45 minutes, one of them from outside the area neutralized by goalkeeper Leo Román. In the 43rd minute, the 22-year-old forward had his best opportunity, after a through ball from Pedri that left him well positioned to finish. However, his left-footed shot went wide. 

The lack of rhythm (he had only played 28' against Barbastro and 4' against Dortmund this 2025) and the pressure to break his goal drought (he still hasn't scored with Barça this season) undoubtedly weighed on the winger's finishing. Even so, the team and the fans supported him continuously.

Ansu Fati, from less to more against Mallorca

In that sense, Fati went from less to more in a day where Barça continuously besieged the rival area between minute 20 and approximately 70. The '10' started very actively, constantly asking for the ball to try to create danger on his side.

He was also attentive to associate with Dani Olmo, looking for spaces to shoot from the edge of the area. As the minutes passed, the 'culés' focused their attacks more towards the right side, looking for Lamine Yamal. And, in the first quarter of an hour of the second half, Ansu appeared little and Flick decided to put Raphinha in his place.

In total, the player from Bissau played 62 minutes, completing 36 of 42 passes (86 %). However, he could only win 1 individual duel in 8 attempts, without successful dribbles. Therefore, he was the Barça starter with the lowest rating on specialized portals (6.9), while the rest had an average between 7.5 and 8 points.

After the match against Mallorca, Fati reached 253 minutes played in 24-25 after 10 appearances, with which he is still the player with the fewest minutes in the squad. Tuesday's match, in addition, was only his second appearance as a starter and his first minutes in La Liga since matchday 13, in the defeat against Real Sociedad (1-0).

⚽Ansu Fati's records against Mallorca:

1. Minutes: 62
2. Shots: 4 (1 on goal)
3. Completed passes: 36 of 42 (86 %)
4. Dribbles: 0
5. Duels won: 1 of 8
6. Recoveries: 2

Valladolid, a new opportunity for Ansu in LaLiga

Ansu Fati, after missing a chance against Mallorca

Beyond the individual records, Hansi Flick was satisfied with his performance. In the post-match press conference, the coach highlighted the importance of keeping the entire group united and plugged in for the final stretch of the season.

"I think he has taken a step forward. His teammates help him, the fans too. It has been a great day for him. It will help him to have more confidence. It has been a good day for him and for us," Flick pointed out.

In addition, he added: "We need all the players in the remainder of the season. They must continue working in training and it is good that they show how good they are."

For Ansu, the next La Liga matchday, against Valladolid, will be a new opportunity to return to the XI. The match scheduled for Saturday, May 3 at 9:00 p.m. comes in the middle of the Champions League semi-finals against Inter Milan.

As it is a rival already relegated and prior to a decisive week where the Liga Clásico will also have to be played, Flick will once again bet on his 'Unit B', giving minutes to the '10' and players like Héctor Fort, Pau Víctor and Pablo Torre, the latter being the only one of the usual substitutes who did not play against Mallorca.