Barcelona star Gavi returns after 11-month absence

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said the reception given to Gavi gave him goosebumps as the midfielder returned from an 11-month injury layoff during Sunday’s 5-1 win over Sevilla in LaLiga.

Gavi has not played since tearing his ACL while playing for Spain last November but came off the bench for the final 10 minutes against Sevilla at the Olympic Stadium.

The 20-year-old replaced Pedri, taking the captain’s armband in the process, and he was given a an incredible ovation on his return to action from the Barça supporters.

“I am happy for this result and especially for Gavi,” Flick said in a news conference. “It’s really amazing when you see atmosphere in the stadium and the fans. It was goosebumps, unbelievable, and I like this.”

Any doubts about whether Gavi’s intense playing style would be affected by his injury were quickly dispelled as he bounced into challenges immediately.

“The intensity he gave in the match when he came in was good,” Flick added. “But it’s normal, it’s his way to play. Sometimes it’s OK to be more calmer, but it’s not his style of play.”

Gavi said he was delighted to be back, thanked his teammates and the fans for their support and said his time out has helped him to appreciate how fortunate he is.

“I have been dreaming about this for many months and I am grateful to my teammates who made the process easier for me,” he told reporters.

“The hardest thing is not playing, watching from the outside. It’s frustrating, it’s tough. You have to enjoy every moment and [time out] allows you to value the things you have. I feel fortunate to be back.

“I missed playing football the most, this is my life, it is what I have always done. When all the fans and your teammates like you and give you that reception, you feel very lucky.”

Two Robert Lewandowski goals — his 11th and 12 in LaLiga this season — sandwiched a Pedri strike as Barça blew Sevilla away in the first half to make it nine wins from 10 in the league, keeping them three points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table.

Substitute Pablo Torre added two more after the break, with Sevilla’s late consolation coming from Stanis Idumbo, as the Catalan side scored five at the start of a week that will see them face Bayern Munich and Madrid.

“For us every match is important,” Flick added when asked about the meeting his former side in the Champions League on Wednesday and the first Clásico of the season on Saturday.

“It’s not only what seems [to be] the big, big clubs, also this Sevilla [game, it’s] also very important after the international break, to come back with a victory and this was today really good. The players did it well.”

As well as Gavi, Fermín López also returned from injury against Sevilla, while Frenkie de Jong and Dani Olmo were both fit enough to be named on the bench after recent fitness issues.

Flick insisted they will all be ready if needed against Bayern and Madrid.

“They are ready, they will be ready,” he said. “This is for me, our job is to prepare well for the next match.

“Getafe, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid… it doesn’t matter. The team will give 100% every match, every minute, they will be ready.

“We also thought that Frenkie would start [against Sevilla], but he felt a little bit of discomfort on Friday so we decided yesterday that he just trains separately, today was much better but to start was not an option.”