Gavi’s return after his long injury has not gone as expected. The young Barcelona midfielder has gone from being a starter to a secondary role in Hansi Flick’s plans, which is not aligned with his ambitions. Due to his competitive nature and desire to be one of the main players, Gavi has started to put pressure on the German coach, which has led to this situation becoming a problem in the dressing room.
According to information from the Spanish newspaper “El Nacional,” the emergence of Marc Casado, who has performed at a high level as a defensive pivot, and the outstanding performance of Pedri, who is competing with the best midfielders in the world, have made it difficult for Gavi to regain his place in the starting lineup.
In addition, Dani Olmo’s presence in attacking midfield, who has added depth to the team as a link between the middle and the attack, makes it even harder for Gavi to enter the lineup without disrupting the team’s balance.
Flick is fully aware of the situation and knows that keeping a player of Gavi’s ability on the bench could become a long-term problem. Therefore, the German coach faces a difficult choice: either reshape the midfield to give the young player more minutes or keep Casado as a key figure in his plans, which could further upset Gavi.
So far, Casado has proven to be a key player in midfield, offering defensive balance and an ability to win the ball back—attributes that Flick greatly appreciates. However, Gavi has made it clear that he is not prepared to accept a secondary role, stressing that he is ready to return to the starting lineup.
The German coach is fully aware that keeping a team full of talent and ambition happy is not an easy task. The balance between players is at stake, and Casado’s exclusion from the starting lineup could have major consequences for the team’s tactical structure. However, Flick may decide to adopt a more regular rotation system, with Gavi, Pedri, and Casado playing in the weeks full of matches.
The situation is not only a tactical challenge but also a managerial test for Flick, who will have to find the right balance to make the team work without ignoring the demands of an important player like Gavi. The ball is now in the German coach’s court, and the upcoming matches could be the key to resolving this dilemma.