Ansu Fati arrived with urgency for the national team, stepping in when needed due to injuries. In this assignment, he filled in for a teammate, mirroring Luis de la Fuente’s early substitution approach in the UEFA Nations League Final Four. Yéremi Pino took Nico Williams’s spot in the clash against the Netherlands, showcasing the coach’s flexible plans on the fly.
Relating to
The reason behind the call was De la Fuente’s observation of Ansu Fati during the June tournament. The coach was encouraged by his interest in the squad and the level he displayed during his minutes on the field. He entered the second half and helped secure wins, preparing the team to challenge Italy and Croatia for the cup.
Ansu Fati emerges from Brighton exile to return to national team
Ansu Fati did not leave Qatar 2022 with good feelings toward Luis Enrique. The player struggled with his secondary role, and the coach expected more from him. Even with strong faith in the striker, the relationship needed time to mature after the debut shown earlier in the cycle.
A different Ansu showed up in the Netherlands. He appeared more buoyant, upbeat, and willing to build chemistry with teammates. He contributed quality minutes to help the team pursue a fifth trophy, demonstrating growth in his approach and on-field confidence.
The Brighton coach, Roberto De Zerbi, noted steady progress in Fati. He did not see him routinely on the pitch but emphasized that he has moved from limited minutes to greater involvement, signaling strong potential. De la Fuente hopes to see a player in peak physical condition when called upon again.
Good in Marseille
Fati’s Europa League outing against Olympique de Marseille stood out, even if the goal tally was modest. De la Fuente’s staff followed his international matches closely, and his performances did not go unnoticed.
Fati was already listed among 49 players in the preliminary squad. He stood out as a primary option after Yéremi Pino, who had been deployed on the left wing alongside De la Fuente’s teams, was injured, allowing Fati to showcase his adaptability and readiness.