Barcelona in line for a welcome injury boost after the international break

Less than a month into the new season, and Barcelona already have a long list of injured players.

While Ronald Araujo, Frenkie de Jong and Gavi were injured prior to pre-season, Ansu Fati joined them on the sidelines just before the team’s trip to the USA.

Earlier this week, Marc Bernal ruptured his ACL and is thus the latest entrant on the list.

Given that most players are out with long-term injuries, Barcelona need players with better prognoses to recover swiftly with the calendar amping up.

Achraf Ben Ayad brings some good news for the Catalan giants on that front.

Fati nearing a return

As revealed by the journalist, Ansu Fati is close to returning to complete fitness and could return to action by the time club football resumes after the upcoming international break.

Barcelona take on Real Valladolid this weekend at Montjuic and will then disperse for the first international break of the season.

They only return to action on the weekend of September 14-15 against Girona at Estadi Montilivi and Fati could make his return for the clash.

Having suffered a blow early in his return to Barcelona, the youngster will be determined to prove his worth under the new manager, especially after being handed the privilege of wearing the No.10 shirt for the club.

Hansi Flick was impressed by what he saw of Fati in pre-season and interestingly tested him out as a striker before his injury.

Once back to fitness, it thus will be interesting to see if the youngster is deployed as a striker or a winger in the 4-2-3-1 system.

With Frenkie de Jong also expected to be back after the international break, Flick will welcome the double boost amidst a myriad of problems early in his tenure at Barcelona.