Barcelona fan-favourite in line for his first start in 11 months against Espanyol

Barcelona fan-favourite in line for his first start in 11 months against Espanyol

Barcelona could be on the verge of welcoming back one of their most dynamic midfielders, with Gavi expected to make his first start in nearly a year in the upcoming derby against Espanyol.

According to SPORT, the current situation in midfield has left Hansi Flick with limited options, potentially calling Gavi into the starting XI in tonight’s clash.

Barcelona’s midfield depth has taken a significant hit at a crucial stage of the season.

Pedri was forced off in the recent clash against Atletico Madrid due to a hamstring issue, ruling him out of the Espanyol encounter.

He joins Marc Bernal on the sidelines, further reducing Flick’s options in the middle of the park.

Although Frenkie de Jong has returned to training, the Barcelona manager is expected to take a cautious approach with the Dutchman, avoiding any unnecessary risks by rushing him back into the starting lineup.

Gavi’s long road back

That situation has paved the way for Gavi, whose last start dates back to 25 May 2025.

Gavi is likely to start against Espanyol. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

On that day, Barcelona secured a convincing 3-0 win against Athletic Club to close out their La Liga campaign.

Since then, the Spanish international has endured a lengthy spell on the sidelines, working his way back to full fitness.

There were encouraging signs in midweek, when Gavi came off the bench in the Champions League quarter-final against Atletico Madrid, replacing Pedri and injecting energy into the midfield.

Perfect moment to step up

Now, with the derby against Espanyol arriving in the middle of a demanding schedule, Flick is expected to rotate and trust players who have had fewer minutes.

This creates the ideal opportunity for Gavi, not just to start, but to re-establish himself as a key figure in the team.

Lastly, the Barcelona fan-favourite will likely be partnered by Marc Casado, another player who has not been a regular starter but now finds himself with a significant role to play.