Three takeaways from Barcelona’s 1-0 win over AC Milan

Milan's Belgian midfielder Alexis Saelemaekers (L) fights for the ball with Barcelona's Spanish forward Ansu Fati during a pre-season friendly football match between AC Milan and FC Barcelona, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on August 1, 2023. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Ansu Fati may be the biggest beneficiary of Dembele’s departure

If we’re talking about players who impressed on the pre-season tour to the USA, Fati’s name has to be close to the top.

He rounded the tour off with an outstanding finish in the 1-0 win over AC Milan, but it was his overall game that impressed me.

He had the confidence to run at people and his ability to link midfield with attack was exceptional. He kept picking up pockets of space between the lines, and when he does that it makes him very hard to deal with.

Fati is more comfortable on the left, but he can certainly do a job on the right and while Raphinha is the first choice, Fati’s talent could push him all the way.

It’s been a long road to recovery after some serious injuries for Fati, and he never looked at his best last year. So far through the pre-season he looks like the Fati of old, and if Barca can get him playing his best and use the Dembele money to solidify the RB position…it may just be the best thing to happen to Barca.