Gavi<\/a> is going through a different start to the season than he probably expected. The Barcelona<\/a> midfielder began the campaign as a starter, but a knock to the knee during the league opener against Elche set off alarm bells and ended up affecting his first few matches.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Although he did not suffer an injury, Hansi Flick decided to be cautious because of the player\u2019s history of knee problems. Since then, the academy graduate has had limited involvement and was also not called up by Luis de la Fuente for this international break.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The midfielder started in LaLiga<\/a>\u2019s opening match, but had to leave the pitch after taking a blow to the knee.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n He then missed a couple of matches as a precaution and, since returning, has barely played any minutes: 11 against Feyenoord and 29 against Racing de Santander<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The situation is not easy for a player used to competing with enormous intensity, but Gavi admits that his experiences with injuries have changed the way he approaches his career.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cMy knee always has to be strong, whether I play or not. I can\u2019t let my guard down because at any moment things can go wrong,\u201d he explained in an interview with Men\u2019s Health<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gavi has suffered two major knee injuries during his career, so he now understands the importance of taking care of every detail in his recovery and preparation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n However, he insists that the fear of a new injury does not affect the way he plays.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re thinking about what might happen or might not happen while playing, then I don\u2019t think you enjoy it much,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cYou have to play without thinking about anything, compete as always, and whatever has to happen will happen, whether you think about it more or less,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The player also admitted that the recovery process helped him develop greater patience.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cMaybe before I wasn\u2019t very patient, and now I am more so. When I was injured, I had to go through stages and set goals for myself,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n And he added: \u201cNow, for example, I\u2019d tell you that I take much better care of myself than when I made my debut.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Despite being only 22, Gavi has already spent more than five years since making his debut with Barcelona\u2019s first team. His growth has also meant living with ever-increasing pressure.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cNow I feel much more pressure than when I was 17. Back then I wasn\u2019t aware of where I was; the younger I was, the more I enjoyed football,\u201d he admitted.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The midfielder knows that his current situation is different from his early years, but he continues working to regain a leading role.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Hansi Flick is aware of how eager Gavi is to play regularly again. The coach even had a chat with him during training ahead of the match against Racing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cGavi has great ambition and always wants to play. But the team is functioning as it is and that has to be accepted. All the players are important to us and we need all of them,\u201d Flick explained.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The coach\u2019s message reflects the academy graduate\u2019s current situation: there is no new injury keeping him out, but rather a sporting decision and a precautionary approach within a squad with a lot of competition<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gavi, meanwhile, is approaching this stage with a different mindset. Injuries taught him to wait, take care of himself and complete each stage. Now he is looking to gradually regain the prominence that made him one of Barcelona\u2019s great prospects.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in \ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddf8 here.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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\nGavi has had to learn to wait<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cInjuries made me mature\u201d<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
More pressure than when he was 17<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Flick is also asking for patience<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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