Three ways Barcelona’s attack could line up after the return of Ansu Fati

Barcelona prodigy Ansu Fati has had to endure a torrid eighteen-month period with unrelenting injury issues.

The 19-year-old first picked up an injury in late 2020 and missed the rest of the 2020/21 campaign following that.

While he did make a return in the early parts of the ongoing season, the Spanish international once again succumbed to an injury in November last year, after featuring just ten times in all competitions in 2021/22.

Fati has not played a single game under Xavi Hernandez, but that could be set to change soon as the teenage sensation has recently returned to training and is closing in on a comeback.

Once he is back, Barcelona will have more options in their attacking unit, which already boasts of stars like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ferran Torres, Adama Traore, Ousmane Dembele, Memphis Depay and Luuk de Jong.

In the words of The Notorious B.I.G., though, “Mo Forwards Mo Problems”. Well, that’s probably not what he said, but Xavi does face the problem of fitting Fati in an already blistering forward line.

Some players will be left without as many minutes, but it’s all to fit in a player who could end up defining the next decade at Barcelona. As such, Barça Universal discusses three ways the Blaugranes could line up their attack with Fati.

1. Fati – Aubameyang – Dembele

Ideally, the attacking trident of Fati on the left-wing, with Aubameyang as the striker and Dembele on the right, is the best stylistic fit for Barcelona. The young Spaniard is not as dynamic off the ball as Torres, but he’s thrice the finisher.

Moreover, Fati has shown more range on the ball compared to Torres, and will be able to combine well with someone like Aubameyang, who has a tendency to rove to the left.

With Pedri occupying the left half-spaces behind him and Alba rushing in near the touchline, Fati will have the onus of cutting in. Further, he can move freely in positions inside the box without having the burden of providing width.

With Dembele very ball-oriented and Aubameyang very space-oriented, the young prodigy provides the best of both worlds.

2. Torres – Fati – Dembele

Torres has fit in seamlessly into Xavi’s plans, and it will be harsh to not mention him in these attacking units. The Spaniard boasts of incredible off the ball ability, and will be able to be on the same wavelength as Fati, especially in the final third.

The two have incredible associative play, and can dictate proceedings in the attack easily. But with Dembele on the right, Barcelona will have a creative presence who can match the other two forwards toe for toe on a track.

This attack is more fluid than the previous one since neither Fati and Torres are natural strikers. Further, Dembele and Torres are very adept on either wing and should we see this attack, a lot of in-game shuffling can be expected.

3. Fati – Memphis – Dembele

Memphis has not found enough time under Xavi despite being the team’s top scorer this season. As an inside forward who prefers playing on the left or centrally, he does not particularly match the coach’s needs.

However, he can slot in as the left-wing in this attacking unit, that would work wonders in at least two scenarios — when Barcelona are looking for more control in a game, or facing a mid-block the team could do with more creative players.

Memphis as the false 9 helps in dropping deep and dictating play while Fati will act as the primary runner. The duo have combined well this season, case in point being Fati’s goal vs Valencia.

Not to forget that Fati has quite the eye for a pass as well, and could feed through balls should the team need it. That said, it is quite unlikely that we see this attack unless Xavi has multiple players unavailable.