Barcelona midfielder Gavi has been given the all-clear to return to action this weekend, with head coach Hansi Flick confirming the 21-year-old will be available for Sunday’s La Liga clash – his first competitive appearance in over six months.
“We have to take it step by step, little by little,” Flick told reporters on Saturday. The German coach confirmed Gavi was fit to feature but tempered expectations around his involvement, indicating the midfielder would be eased back gradually rather than thrown into the thick of it from the start.
Gavi’s troubles began in late August when a serious knee problem required arthroscopic surgery. Initial assessments suggested a quicker recovery, but the medical team discovered during the procedure that the damage was more extensive than first feared, extending his rehabilitation significantly.
The operation, carried out on September 23, addressed an injury to the internal meniscus of his right knee, something that the club projected would require four to five months to heal.
Gavi had already been travelling with the squad in recent weeks, making the trip to St James’ Park on Wednesday for Barcelona’s Champions League last-16 first leg against Newcastle, a game Lamine Yamal’s late penalty salvaged into a 1-1 draw, before receiving the final green light to resume competitive action.
It is his second serious knee injury in the space of two years. An ACL tear sustained while on international duty with Spain at the end of 2023 sidelined him for the majority of that season.
He returned to make 40 appearances last term, though those amounted to just over 1,500 minutes, reflecting the careful management Flick applied to his comeback.
Back on the pitch
Gavi rejoined group training in late February, greeted by his teammates with the traditional “tunnel of slaps” that marks a significant return at the club’s Ciutat Esportiva.
The timing of his return could scarcely be better for Barcelona. They head into the Sevilla fixture holding a four-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, with Newcastle then visiting Camp Nou on Wednesday for the second leg of their Champions League tie.
With Frenkie de Jong currently sidelined through injury, the return of Gavi provides Flick with much-needed depth and intensity in the engine room for what promises to be a defining fortnight in their season.
Barcelona also remain without Andreas Christensen, Jules Kounde, Alejandro Balde and Eric Garcia for the coming fixtures, though Garcia is understood to be close to returning after a muscle strain.
With the injury list heavy, Flick indicated that youngster Xavi Espart – impressive on his debut against Newcastle – is an option at right-back against Sevilla, and suggested Yamal could be given a rest ahead of the midweek European tie.
Barcelona vs Sevilla kicks off at 3:15pm on Sunday.
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