Gavi Set for First Start in 11 Months as Flick Weighs Resting Yamal for Catalan Derby

Hansi Flick hints Gavi will make his first start since 2025 in the Catalan derby, while Lamine Yamal faces a late fitness test due to muscle fatigue.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 11, 2026, 8:23 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Yahoo Sports

The Long Road Back to the Starting Eleven

The Catalan derby on April 11 is poised to be the most significant milestone in Gavi’s recovery since he suffered a torn medial meniscus in September 2025. After undergoing arthroscopic surgery and a rigorous six-month rehabilitation, the midfielder, known as "The Warrior" for his high-intensity playing style, has been limited to substitute appearances since his competitive return in March. Hansi Flick told reporters on Friday that Gavi is a "good option" for the starting lineup against Espanyol, noting that while the club will continue to take a "step by step" approach with his minutes, the player has met all medical and physical benchmarks required to feature from the opening whistle.

Managing the Lamine Yamal Workload

The primary tactical dilemma for Barcelona revolves around 18-year-old winger Lamine Yamal, who is showing signs of physical strain. Reports from the club's training session on Friday indicated that Yamal was dealing with "discomfort and muscle overload," leading Flick to hint at a potential rest period. The manager used language strikingly similar to his rhetoric before resting the teenager against Sevilla last month, stating, "We’ll see how we manage it; it’s always good for him to start... but we’ll have to wait until tomorrow." With a Champions League quarter-final second leg looming against Atlético Madrid, Flick must balance the necessity of winning the derby with the risk of a long-term muscle injury to his most creative outlet.

Midfield Absences Force Flick’s Hand

Gavi’s projected start is necessitated not only by his own progress but also by a depleted Barcelona midfield. The squad is currently navigating a period without key starters Raphinha and Marc Bernal, while Frenkie de Jong—though back in training—is only expected to feature as a second-half substitute. This vacuum in the center of the park has accelerated Gavi’s re-integration. Flick’s tactical setup for the derby is expected to pair Gavi with Marc Casadó and Fermín López, a trio that provides the defensive work rate needed to counter Espanyol’s physical counter-attacking style.