As Barcelona get set to take on Sevilla tomorrow at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, all eyes are on the return of midfield hero Gavi.
The 20-year-old La Masia sensation will make his return to the squad after a whopping 11 months, having been sidelined with an ACL injury since last November.
Gavi has been training normally over the past month and is all set to get his medical clearance to make his comeback against Sevilla.
Gavi to play vs Sevilla, but rest in subsequent matches
Now, according to AS, Barcelona have a plan in place to integrate Gavi gradually into the team without overburdening him and risking any relapse.
As such, the idea is for the 20-year-old Spaniard to play some minutes tomorrow against Sevilla but then sit out of next week’s matches against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
Gavi could be rested against Bayern, Real Madrid. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
The midfield prodigy would then again be back for the derby against RCD Espanyol in the first week of November.
The thought behind the plan to rest Gavi against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid next week is that both are high-pressure, high-octane encounters and there will be an element of risk involved with him playing those matches this early after 11 months out.
After eleven months out of action, Flick wants Gavi’s return to the team to be progressive and he is not expected to play more than 20 or 30 minutes in his first few games.
The youngster is not expected to be at his best until February, although he seems to be fine now. Physically he is fit but he needs competition rhythm.
So, even though his presence for the crucial games against Bayern and Real Madrid would have been a huge boost, Barcelona might approach the situation with more caution.
Source link : https://barcauniversal.com/barcelona-rising-star-returning-from-injury-could-miss-bayern-real-madrid-games/
Author : Michel Durant
Publish date : 2024-10-19 07:20:00
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