Green shoots at last for Barcelona youngster Ansu Fati

Ansu Fati's season has been highly complicated. While it is true that it has been the season in which he has played the most minutes, games, and has the most goals and assists for Barça, he has not managed to make a place for himself in Xavi Hernández's starting eleven. His future is up in the air and, while he wants to continue wearing the blaugrana colours, the club and his agent are moving in the market to find the best solution for all parties.

Meanwhile, the Spanish national team called him. In the middle of the maelstrom of the transfer market, Ansu Fati is enjoying a period to reaffirm the good sensations that he felt with Barça in the last days of the La Liga season. The striker did not make Luis de la Fuente's first squad list, but was called up by the coach to replace the injured Nico Williams.

Some were tipping him to start the game against Italy in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals. The Riojan had this to say about the Blaugrana ahead of the game: "I'm very excited to meet Ansu Fati. He's an exceptional footballer, like all his team-mates. I see he is very happy. I'm sure he would be at Barça, I understand, but I see he is excited. He's doing some exceptional training sessions and we enjoy having him. We are happy to meet again with the Ansu Fati of five years ago. I think he has room for improvement and I'm sure he's going to show it."

His time has come

However, the Barça youth product began the game from the bench, with Rodrigo Moreno, Morata and Yéremy Pino all starting. His moment came with a quarter of an hour to go and with the score level at 1-1.

In the end, Joselu's goal on the stroke of half-time gave La Roja a place in the UEFA Nations League final against Croatia. Ansu, who replaced Pino in the 74th minute, was very active from three-quarters of the pitch forward, with high pressure on the Italian defence. He came out wanting to eat up the world.

Rodri combined with Ansu and, very skilfully, he let the ball go through for Canales. He opened up the flank for Alba, who tried the cross, the rebound fell to Rodri who tried to emulate his goal in the Champions League final, but the ball was deflected and left dead in the six-yard box for Joselu to send it into Donnarumma's net.