Barcelona fans erupted in chants of "Ansu Fati!" as the 22-year-old winger earned a surprise start against Mallorca on Tuesday—his first La Liga start in 18 days5. The match, a critical 1-0 victory for the league leaders, saw Dani Olmo’s second-half strike secure three points, but all eyes were on Fati’s emotional return.
Deployed on the left flank, Fati brought depth and unpredictability to Barça’s attack, registering three key passes and testing Mallorca’s standout goalkeeper Leo Román with a long-range effort. Though he couldn’t find the net, his relentless work rate and sharp movement drew a standing ovation when substituted in the 62nd minute—a moment teammates applauded from the bench.
Hansi Flick’s squad rotations, including seven changes ahead of Saturday’s Copa del Rey final, allowed Fati to seize a rare opportunity. The Guinean-born forward had been sidelined for months, managing just 19 minutes across nine appearances this season before Tuesday’s resurgence. With Robert Lewandowski injured, Ferran Torres led the line, while Lamine Yamal and Fati shouldered creative duties.
The win extends Barça’s lead to seven points over Real Madrid, but the night belonged to Fati, whose determined display reignited hopes of a late-season revival.
