CORNERFLICK
Barcelona’s 6-1 win over Alavés on Saturday night has sparked speculation over Gavi’s relationship with Hansi Flick after the midfielder stayed on the bench throughout the match.
Media questions over his role
According to Sport, some Madrid-based outlets have questioned Flick’s decision not to use Gavi and raised the possibility of a disagreement between the German coach and the Spain international.
Miguel Martín Talavera of Radio Marca criticised how Gavi has been managed, saying there have been enough chances this season to give him more minutes and help him regain match rhythm. He also claimed Flick does not see him as the right fit and does not have a good connection with him.
Cadena SER also examined the situation under the headline: “What has happened to Gavi? From Golden Boy winner to the team’s seventh midfielder”.
Minutes have been limited
The station said Gavi has played only 191 minutes this season, including 146 in La Liga and 45 in the Champions League. Some analysts have raised the possibility of a loan move in the January window.
Flick said after the Alavés match that substitutions are planned before kick-off, but can change as the game develops. “We had Rodri, Frenkie and Fermín available, and in the end we had to make other substitutions,” he said.
There is still no solid evidence of a personal rift between Gavi and Flick, and Barcelona’s crowded midfield, with Pedri, Rodri, Frenkie de Jong, Fermín López and Marc Bernal, has made it harder for Gavi to get back into the starting line-up.