Gavi set for Barcelona return after six months on sideline

Barcelona midfielder Gavi has been given the all-clear to return to motion this weekend, with head coach Hansi Flick confirming the 21-year-old can be obtainable for Sunday’s La Liga conflict – his first aggressive look in over six months.

“We’ve to take it step-by-step, little by little,” Flick informed reporters on Saturday. The German coach confirmed Gavi was match to function however tempered expectations round his involvement, indicating the midfielder could be eased again step by step quite than thrown into the thick of it from the beginning.

Gavi’s troubles started in late August when a critical knee drawback required arthroscopic surgical procedure. Preliminary assessments prompt a faster restoration, however the medical group found through the process that the harm was extra intensive than first feared, extending his rehabilitation considerably.

The operation, carried out on September 23, addressed an damage to the inner meniscus of his proper knee, one thing that the membership projected would require 4 to 5 months to heal.

Gavi had already been travelling with the squad in current weeks, making the journey to St James’ Park on Wednesday for Barcelona’s Champions League last-16 first leg in opposition to Newcastle, a sport Lamine Yamal’s late penalty salvaged right into a 1-1 draw, earlier than receiving the ultimate inexperienced gentle to renew aggressive motion.

It’s his second critical knee damage within the house of two years. An ACL tear sustained whereas on worldwide obligation with Spain on the finish of 2023 sidelined him for almost all of that season.

He returned to make 40 appearances final time period, although these amounted to only over 1,500 minutes, reflecting the cautious administration Flick utilized to his comeback.

Again on the pitch

Gavi rejoined group coaching in late February, greeted by his teammates with the normal “tunnel of slaps” that marks a major return on the membership’s Ciutat Esportiva.

The timing of his return may scarcely be higher for Barcelona. They head into the Sevilla fixture holding a four-point lead over Actual Madrid on the high of La Liga, with Newcastle then visiting Camp Nou on Wednesday for the second leg of their Champions League tie.

With Frenkie de Jong presently sidelined by way of damage, the return of Gavi gives Flick with much-needed depth and depth within the engine room for what guarantees to be a defining fortnight of their season.

Barcelona additionally stay with out Andreas Christensen, Jules Kounde, Alejandro Balde and Eric Garcia for the approaching fixtures, although Garcia is known to be near returning after a muscle pressure.

With the damage checklist heavy, Flick indicated that teen Xavi Espart – spectacular on his debut in opposition to Newcastle – is an possibility at right-back in opposition to Sevilla, and prompt Yamal might be given a relaxation forward of the midweek European tie.

Barcelona vs Sevilla kicks off at 3:15pm on Sunday.