Why Luis Enrique didn't select Ansu Fati in Spain's Nations League matches

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Why Luis Enrique didn't select Ansu Fati in Spain's Nations League matches

Ansu Fati has not suffered a relapse of the hamstring injury that ruled him out for much of the 2021/22 season, though his recent ailments were a factor in Spain head coach Luis Enrique's decision not to select him for June's Nations League internationals.

The winger featured just 15 times for Barcelona in all competitions last season due to injury and fitness woes, with his hamstring proving a particular problem.

Barça fans grew concerned that Fati had picked up another problem when he was named in Enrique's squad for the latest round of Nations League fixtures but did not take to the pitch in any of the four games played.

However, AS report that the 19-year-old has not suffered any relapse and Enrique was simply managing his fitness, wary about rushing him back from such a big layoff.

Fati participated in all of Spain's group training sessions as well as some extra ones in order to improve his conditioning.

Enrique discussed Fati's role in the Spain squad in spite of his fitness woes after their 1-1 draw with Portugal to kick off the June international window.

"You have to trust me there. Ansu comes to help us in the long term. He still doesn't have the competitive rhythm to help us as much as he would like. The public really wants to show him affection, but I'm the professional and I have to control that," he said.

Spain were then held to a 2-2 draw away at the Czech Republic before ending the month on a high with back-to-back wins over Switzerland and the Czechs in the reverse fixture.

They sit top of Nations League Group A2 after Portugal fell to a shock defeat to Switzerland.