Barcelona’s manager, Hansi Flick, could potentially welcome Gavi back to the pitch for the first time since August, possibly as early as this weekend. The 21-year-old midfielder has been diligently recovering from a significant meniscus injury for the past seven months and appears poised for his long-awaited return.
After sustaining the knee injury in August, Gavi initially followed a conservative treatment plan for five weeks. However, with no significant improvement, surgery became necessary, sidelining him for an additional five months. In recent weeks, Gavi has rejoined team training and, according to reports, might make his reappearance during Barcelona’s upcoming home fixture this weekend.
Gavi Set for Medical Green Light
The medical staff has reportedly given Gavi the all-clear, deeming him fit to play again, even if only for limited minutes, as he progressively works towards full match fitness. While the final decision rests with Flick, Gavi was present on the bench during Tuesday’s match against Newcastle United but had not yet received permission to play.
With the recently improved atmosphere at Camp Nou due to increased capacity, internal discussions among the staff suggest that this could be an ideal moment to boost Gavi’s morale with his return to competitive action, provided the flow of the match allows for it.
Gradual Reintegration Plan for Gavi
The game against Sevilla is a strong candidate for his comeback. A week later, Barcelona hosts Rayo Vallecano, presenting another opportunity for him to accumulate minutes. Following this, the international break will offer Gavi a valuable period to further build his fitness without the immediate pressure of competitive play.
Conversely, if Flick opts to wait until after the international break, Gavi’s return would coincide with two challenging away games: against Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano and the Catalan derby versus Espanyol. A delay past these fixtures could push his return back by more than a month, excluding potential Champions League appearances.
