Gavi’s return under Hansi Flick set to test Barça’s midfield order | OneFootball

Gavi is back after more than six months out, and Hansi Flick is counting on him for Barcelona’s run-in, starting with Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 second leg against Newcastle at 18:45, the tie level at 1-1.

The 21-year-old returned 204 days after arthroscopy to repair a meniscus lesion, coming on at the Spotify Camp Nou in the 5-2 win over Sevilla. He was embraced at length by Flick and received a rousing ovation.

As he entered, captain Ronald Araujo handed him the armband. Gavi played 10 minutes and finished on his knees, exhausted.

“Flick has always been there for me, like a father. He has always supported me. I am very grateful to him,” he told DAZN.

Flick cultivates near paternal bonds with his squad, and Gavi appears to be the closest. The coach had underlined the midfielder’s importance by posing with the number six shirt before the Espanyol game and in Saudi Arabia ahead of the Super Cup final against Real Madrid, won 3-2 on 11 January.

The former Bayern coach now has extra midfield options despite Frenkie de Jong’s hamstring injury. For now, the hierarchy is unlikely to shift, allowing Gavi to build rhythm minute by minute.

Pedri and Marc Bernal are starting in midfield, with Fermin Lopez and Dani Olmo sharing the remaining spot, and minutes also for Marc Casado or the versatile Eric Garcia. With Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde out in defence, Garcia is likely to stay there, even with Joao Cancelo sharp and Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin in form.

Decisions loom for Flick, because only Pedri looks untouchable. De Jong will have to battle to reclaim his place, and using Olmo as a false nine could ease Gavi’s reintegration, with Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres out of form and not expected to start on Wednesday.

Source: L'Équipe