FC Barcelona play one of the most important matches of their season tonight: the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16 tie against Benfica. After a hard-fought 0-1 win in the first leg in Portugal, the Blaugrana need at least a draw to qualify for the quarter-finals.
However, according to information from the Spanish newspaper ‘‘El Nacional‘‘, coach Hansi Flick faces a tough challenge: Gavi, the young Spanish midfielder, has asked to start after several matches in which he has been absent from the starting line-up. Gavi’s desire to have an influential role in this crucial match has put Flick in a difficult position, as he must choose between him and Dani Olmo, another key player in his plan.
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Gavi, one of the most prominent players in the Barcelona academy, has been a regular in the team in recent years. However, his playing time has been reduced in recent weeks, which has not satisfied the young player. His competitive nature and love for the game have led him to directly ask Flick to include him in the starting line-up for the Benfica match.
The dilemma facing Flick is that Dani Olmo has been in excellent form recently and has gained the coach’s trust. Olmo brings creativity and balance to the team’s midfield, which is an important element in facing Benfica, who will come to Barcelona with the intention of surprising the Catalans. The choice between Gavi and Olmo is not an easy one, and any decision Flick makes could create tensions in the dressing room.
Hansi Flick is well aware of the importance of approaching this situation with caution. Gavi is very popular with the fans and is respected in the dressing room, so leaving him on the bench for such an important match could negatively affect his morale and his relationship with the coach. On the other hand, Dani Olmo is performing consistently well, making his presence in the starting line-up in this match crucial, especially in terms of controlling the midfield.
Flick knows that any decision he makes will have wide ramifications within the team. Selecting Gavi could be understood as a boost to the club’s academy and to players who have spent more time at Barcelona, while selecting Olmo could be seen as a sign of the importance of immediate performance and experience in high-pressure games.
Inside the dressing room, everyone is waiting for Flick’s decision. Gavi has made it clear that he wants to play, and his teammates know that his attitude and drive could be decisive in a match of this type. At the same time, they are fully aware of the value of Dani Olmo to the team. Any decision Flick makes will have major implications, and he will have to manage the situation carefully to avoid tensions within the group.
