Barcelona’s emotional 5-1 victory over Sevilla in LaLiga on Sunday was marked by a special moment as Gavi made his long-awaited return after an 11-month injury absence. The midfielder, who had been sidelined since tearing his ACL while on international duty with Spain, came on for the final 10 minutes at the Olympic Stadium, much to the delight of the home fans.
As Gavi stepped onto the field to replace Pedri, he was greeted with a thunderous ovation from the Barcelona faithful, who had eagerly awaited his return. The 20-year-old not only took over Pedri’s place but also donned the captain’s armband, further emphasizing his importance to the team.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick couldn’t hide his excitement about the reception Gavi received, saying in a post-match press conference, “It gave me goosebumps. The atmosphere in the stadium was incredible, and the fans showed so much love. It was an unbelievable moment.”
Despite concerns that his intense, high-energy playing style might be impacted by the long injury layoff, Gavi wasted no time proving his doubters wrong. He immediately threw himself into tackles, showing no signs of hesitation or fear.
“The intensity he brought was exactly what we expected,” Flick added. “That’s who he is—he plays with fire and passion. Sometimes I wish he’d be a little calmer, but that’s just not his style, and that’s what makes him special.”
Gavi expressed his gratitude for the support he received throughout his recovery process, thanking his teammates and fans for standing by him during his time on the sidelines.
“I’ve been dreaming about this moment for months,” Gavi said. “The hardest part was watching from the outside, not being able to play. It’s frustrating, but this time off has helped me appreciate everything I have. I feel so fortunate to be back, and the reception from the fans and my teammates means the world to me.”
Barca Dominates Sevilla
Barcelona’s win was spearheaded by Robert Lewandowski, who scored twice to take his LaLiga tally to 12 goals this season. Pedri added another as the Blaugrana stormed to a 3-0 lead in the first half. Pablo Torre came off the bench to score two more, while Stanis Idumbo netted a late consolation goal for Sevilla.
The victory not only solidified Barcelona’s spot at the top of the LaLiga table, three points clear of Real Madrid, but also set the tone for a pivotal week ahead. Barcelona will face Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday, followed by the season’s first El Clásico against Real Madrid on Saturday.
Flick emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum through this critical stretch, saying, “Every match is important. We’ve just come off the international break, and it was crucial to return with a strong victory like this one. Now we need to focus on Bayern and Madrid. The team is ready.”
In addition to Gavi, Fermín López also made his return from injury, while Frenkie de Jong and Dani Olmo were named on the bench, signaling their potential readiness for the upcoming matches.
“They will be ready,” Flick said confidently. “Whether it’s Bayern, Real Madrid, or any other team, we’ll give 100% every match. Our job is to prepare, and we are prepared.”
Gavi’s return, combined with Barcelona’s impressive form and the upcoming challenges, has the club’s supporters optimistic as they navigate a defining week in their season.
