Ansu Fati: Reappearance at a Camp Nou ready for his return

It was a strange sensation. In the 67th minute, during an apparently sterile possession, an ovation echoed around Camp Nou. It was not to do with what was happening on the pitch but instead, on the sideline. Ansu Fati was up to warm up and fans were grinning and cheering. The No 10 is back after over 100 days out injured. And they chanted his name for eight minutes as he got ready.

When he came on for Ferran Torres, the fans gave him a roar. Xavi protected him by putting him in the middle of the attack, relieving him of defensive duties. He only managed five touches in the last 15 minutes o the game but fans could not hide their delight when he participated. Even when he didn’t, with a long pass that he didn’t reach, you could hear the reaction in the stands.

His presence was conditioned somewhat by the circumstances of the game, with Mallorca scoring shortly after he came on, so the hosts were mainly trying to keep the ball. They got the three points.

Fans don’t want to put pressure on the player, whose only mission in the next few games is to get as fit as possible, but his return sparked joy. Barcelona will almost certainly be in the Champions League next season, so Ansu’s job is to be ready for that.