Gavi, the FC Barcelona midfielder, experienced an injury scare late in the club's recent match against Real Valladolid, raising concerns about his status for an upcoming Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan. The Spain international was substituted in the 78th minute of the LaLiga EA Sports contest after indicating discomfort.
Initial reports from within the team indicated the issue was likely limited to cramps in the posterior part of both legs. He had appeared visibly fatigued before leaving the pitch.
Manager Hansi Flick made the decision to replace Gavi after observing the player touching the back of his legs and showing signs of distress.
The midfielder was able to rejoin his teammates on the bench shortly after being substituted, a development viewed positively regarding the potential severity of the injury. Further evaluation was expected to confirm the initial assessment of simple cramps.
The match took place at José Zorrilla, a stadium where Gavi previously suffered a significant ACL tear while playing for the national team. That past injury kept him out for several months.
This season has seen Gavi struggle to accumulate significant playing time following his recovery. He has appeared in 21 league matches but has only played approximately 27% of the possible minutes. Across all competitions, he has totaled 1405 minutes, contributing one goal and one assist. His reduced participation has also impacted his status with the Spanish national team.
Despite the recent scare, optimism remains regarding Gavi's availability for the critical Champions League fixture.
Another Barcelona player, FermÃn López, who scored the winning goal against Valladolid, also finished the match in pain after sustaining a kick to the ankle. His presence for the Milan match is reportedly guaranteed.
