Sports · Football · 3 hrs ago
Gavi's limited playing time at Barcelona raises questions about his role
Barcelona beat Alavés 6-1 at the Spotify Camp Nou after recent defeats by Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.
Gavi did not get on the field, despite warming up during the second half.
The midfielder has played 191 minutes in seven appearances this season, including two starts.
Competition for midfield places is fierce, with Pedri, Rodri, Frenkie de Jong, Bernal, Olmo and Fermín among the options named by former Barcelona player José Mari Bakero.
Gavi was once a trusted player for coach Hansi Flick, but his reduced role has prompted questions about his place in the team.
Flick said his planned substitutions changed as the match unfolded, and the club is also being cautious about managing Gavi's fitness after a knee knock earlier in the season.
Gavi could play against Aston Villa in Barcelona's next Champions League match, though the sources say it is not certain whether he will start or come on as a substitute.
Gavi played no minutes in Barcelona’s 6-1 win over Deportivo Alavés, despite being available to coach Hansi Flick.
He has played 191 minutes in seven matches during the 2026/27 season, including two starts.
Commentators and reports have questioned his reduced role amid strong competition for places in Barcelona’s midfield.
Flick said his planned substitutions changed as the match developed.
Barcelona’s next match is against Aston Villa in the Champions League, where Gavi could get playing time.
- Who
- Gavi, Barcelona’s midfielder, has had limited playing time under coach Hansi Flick.
- What
- He played no minutes in Barcelona’s 6-1 win over Deportivo Alavés and has played 191 minutes this season.
- When
- The Alavés match was played on the Saturday before the articles were published on October 31 and November 1, 2026.
- Where
- At the Spotify Camp Nou in Barcelona.
- Why
- The sources point to strong competition in midfield and Flick changing his substitution plans during the match. They also say the club is being cautious after Gavi suffered a knee contusion earlier in the season.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Gavi suffered a knee contusion against Elche and was sidelined for about two weeks.
Gavi played 191 minutes across seven matches, starting two.
Barcelona beat Alavés 6-1, but Gavi did not play.
Flick said the course of the match had changed his substitution plans.
- Season minutes
- 191
- Appearances
- 7 matches, including 2 starts
- League minutes
- 146
- Champions League minutes
- 45
- Alavés result
- Barcelona won 6-1; Gavi played 0 minutes
- Next match
- Aston Villa in the Champions League
3 sources
Gavi espera su turno en el Barça de Flick
La falta de minutos de Gavi en el Barcelona sorprende a Dani Senabre: "La competencia en el centro del campo es muy dura, pero es muy raro que no de descanso a Rodri o Fermín cuando vas ganando 5-0"
¿Y qué pasa con Gavi?: del Golden Boy al "séptimo centrocampista"
What people are saying
We have to keep changing the players. You can think of some substitutions and then the match takes you another way and things change. We had Rodri, Frenkie, Fermín... There were different changes to make. You have to accept it.
Competition in Barcelona’s midfield is very tough and playing is very difficult.
In this context it’s very strange that he doesn’t play and Rodri or Fermín stay on the pitch.
It will be very difficult for him to keep developing if he doesn’t play.