Ansu Fati has been left off the squad for the upcoming Copa del Rey clash against Betis this Wednesday night, continuing the uncertainty surrounding his role at the club. This marks the third consecutive absence for the forward, who was also omitted from the squad for both Supercup matches in Saudi Arabia. With the transfer window closing in just over two weeks, Fati must now contemplate his future carefully.

Although Fati initially seemed set on staying at Barcelona, recent signs from the coach could lead to a change in his thinking. One important detail is that the squad for the Betis match is composed of 22 players, and even with the option to include a 23rd, Fati has not been called up. This suggests his future at the club remains up in the air.

"It's a shame"

The young forward has struggled with injuries this season, having missed 84 days due to two separate issues: a foot injury and a muscular problem. Coach Flick noted that while Fati showed promise at the start of the season, these setbacks have hindered his ability to reach the level of his teammates. "It's a shame," Flick commented, emphasizing that Fati is not yet fully integrated into the team.

Aside from Fati’s exclusion, there are no major surprises in the squad. Szczesny will miss the match due to suspension, following his red card in the Supercup final, while Iñigo Martínez, Ter Stegen, Marc Bernal, and Andreas Christensen remain sidelined with injuries. However, Christensen is expected to return to action soon.