Barcelona’s dramatic 4-3 victory over Celta Vigo was marred by growing discontent among several players.
Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati, and Hector Fort were visibly frustrated after either being substituted or left out of the starting lineup.
Their reactions left manager Hansi Flick with a dilemma: punish them for their dissatisfaction or provide them with an opportunity to prove their worth.
Flick opted for the latter, giving all three players a well-deserved start in the crucial fixture against Mallorca.
In a match that saw Flick rotate heavily, Ansu was handed the responsibility of replacing Raphinha on the right wing, Fort was deployed at left-back in place of Gerard Martin, and Torres was chosen to lead the attack.
Ansu Fati shines in his start
Ansu, whose playing time has been sporadic this season, took full advantage of his chance. While he may not have the blistering pace that has once defined his style of play, the 22-year-old made his presence felt.
He tested Mallorca’s goalkeeper with three shots on goal, though he was unable to find the back of the net.
Nevertheless, his performance was positive and showed that he could still be an important asset in the final stretch of the season, especially as Barcelona enter a period where squad depth will be crucial due to injuries.
Fort’s calm and composed display
Fort, another player who has struggled for minutes this season, made a solid case for his future involvement in Barcelona’s plans.
He had not started a La Liga match since February, but his performance against Mallorca was composed and responsible.
Defensively, he was solid, offering stability in a position that has been a concern at times this season. Offensively, he contributed when needed, though his primary focus was to maintain balance at the back.
Flick’s decision to rotate and challenge these players to perform in key moments shows his faith in them.
While this game is not likely to bring a turning point for these players, they did show that they can play a crucial role in the final phase of the season, where injuries to key players may occur at any time.
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