Hansi Flick should start €25m Barcelona player vs Young Boys – opinion

FC Barcelona take on Young Boys in their second game of the group stage of the revamped Champions League and look to get off the mark after suffering a loss to AS Monaco in the first game. That game was marred by Eric Garcia’s unfortunate red card after a mistake from captain Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.

Hansi Flick understands the importance of winning this game against Young Boys which was evidenced by the massive rotation he chose to do in the weekend for the Osasuna clash which Barcelona eventually lost 4-2.

The Catalans are set to return for this Champions League game but there is one position in the team that is still undecided in the absence of Dani Olmo. The German boss is in a dilemma on whether to start Ferran Torres or Pablo Torre alongside Raphinha and Lamine Yamal in attack.

However, should the German coach be thinking differently? We think this is the best game for Flick to reintroduce Ansu Fati into the starting line-up. He has been fit for some time now but has not received much game time.

Once touted for superstardom, Fati’s career has stalled in recent seasons due to incessant injury issues. He joined Hansi Flick’s pre-season training early in the hope of resurrecting his Barcelona career but suffered yet another unfortunate injury.

Now that he is fit and raring to go, Hansi Flick has been waiting for the right moment to unleash him and this is the perfect game. Young Boys have suffered a difficult start to their domestic season and come into this game under massive pressure.

With Barcelona expected to line up with their full-strength team of whoever is available to Hansi Flick, the pressure will not be on Fati to make a difference in the game. It is not like he has not had a pre-season either, considering he worked quite a bit under the German coach before his injury.

Starting Fati gives Flick the opportunity to encourage even more rotation in the attacking areas. The €25-rated forward is a perfect candidate to start in the #10 role with Raphinha and Lamine on either side of him.

Flick’s pressing structure at Barcelona sees the wingers initiating the high press while Robert Lewandowski drops alongside the attacking midfielder to block the passing lanes into the pivot. Thus, starting Fati as the #10 could also see him do lesser work defensively on his return.

The only concern is whether throwing Fati straight into the starting line-up would be okay, considering his history with injuries. The Spanish star has not seen many minutes since becoming fit but Hansi Flick can always choose to take him off at half-time even if he is started.

Barcelona fans would love nothing more than to see Fati back in a Blaugrana jersey and performing, scoring goals and providing assists. However, they need to be realistic with their expectations as it may take some time for the 21-year-old to recover his best level.

The ultimate dream is to see a Barcelona goal where Lamine Yamal provides an assist for Ansu Fati to score or the other way around. If Flick gives the 21-year-old a chance against Young Boys, the fans might get their moment, and let’s wait and see how it goes.