Hansi Flick expects to recover injured Barcelona star for Girona clash – report

Despite the injury and fitness problems plaguing the squad, FC Barcelona have made the perfect start to the 2024/25 season.

The Catalans are seated comfortably at the top of the La Liga table with four wins in four games which includes a stunning 7-0 thrashing of Real Valladolid.

Naturally, there is an atmosphere of optimism and excitement around the club and the heights they can reach once all the injured players return.

Ansu Fati in the final phase of his recovery

Now, according to Mundo Deportivo, one such injured player is closing in on making his comeback right after the international break.

Indeed, Ansu Fati is understood to be in the final phase of his recovery and manager Hansi Flick expects to have him available against Girona in Barcelona’s first match after the international break.

Fati has been sidelined for close to two months now due to plantar fasciitis after receiving a blow on his foot from a teammate in training.

Prior to getting injured, the young forward was making a good impression on Flick and his coaching staff in pre-season training.

This past Monday, Barcelona shared images of Ansu already exercising at a good pace on the Ciutat Esportiva turf, in a sign that the striker is entering the final phase of his recovery.

The plan for next week is for him to be integrated into the large group along with the rest of his teammates and, if the evolution is as expected, to be included in the squad for the match against Girona.

Flick is confident that he can bring Fati back to a good level and that the forward will be able to provide the unbalanced play and, above all, the goalscoring ability that has always characterised him.

If the La Masia graduate can return to a high level, he can provide quality backup for Raphinha on the left and Robert Lewandowski in the No. 9 position.