Flick could field a new-look Barcelona midfield trident against Alaves – report
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Gavi is reportedly in line to start for Barcelona against Deportivo Alaves, with Hansi Flick considering a midfield combination featuring the Spaniard alongside Pedri and Rodri.
According to SPORT, the 22-year-old could receive an opportunity as Barcelona prepare for a demanding run of fixtures before the November international break.
As expected, Flick will rotate his starting XI for the La Liga encounter, particularly with several first-team players unavailable and important matches against Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid approaching.
Gavi’s potential inclusion would therefore offer the midfielder valuable playing time while allowing the manager to distribute minutes across his squad.
Gavi could benefit from Barcelona’s midfield rotation
Dani Olmo’s absence through injury has reduced Flick’s options, while Fermin Lopez may also need to be managed carefully given the schedule ahead.
Gavi is likely to start against Alaves. (Photo by Francisco Macia/Getty Images)
Barcelona have confirmed that Olmo is expected to miss around a month after suffering an adductor injury.
On that note, Gavi, who has only played 191 minutes this season, has consequently emerged as a candidate to start against Alaves.
Although he has not been a regular member of the starting XI this season, his energy, pressing and ability to compete in midfield could make him a useful option for a fixture in which Barcelona are looking to respond positively, especially after consecutive defeats against PSG and Real Madrid.
Pedri and Rodri could form a new midfield partnership
If selected alongside Pedri and Rodri, Gavi would feature in a midfield trio that Flick has not previously started together this season.
In fact, it would also mark the seventh different midfield combination used by the Barcelona manager during the campaign.
Gavi has never started alongside Pedri and Rodri. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Rodri and Pedri have featured regularly with both Fermin and Olmo, while Gavi and Marc Bernal have generally had fewer opportunities from the beginning of matches.
A new combination could give Flick a chance to assess another balance of technical quality, intensity and defensive work.
Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid fixtures influence Flick’s decision
Barcelona’s schedule provides a clear reason for rotation.
The Catalans face Aston Villa in midweek before travelling to meet Atletico Madrid on November 8, making workload management an important consideration.
Flick still has Frenkie de Jong, Bernal, Fermin and Brian Farinas available as midfield alternatives, although giving Gavi a start against Alaves would allow him to contribute without requiring the same players to shoulder the workload across every fixture.