Xavi Expresses Regret Losing Gavi Amidst Barcelona’s Challenge; Refrains from Blaming Spain’s Head Coach for Serious Knee Injury.
Gavi, is set for surgery next week and will sit out the remainder of the season for Barça.
His chances of participating in Euro 2024 next summer are also seemingly ruled out.
Xavi Said:
“Unfortunately, Gavi’s loss is very important.”
“It is a tragedy, he is irreplaceable, with heart, courage. We will have to replace him, but it will be very difficult.”
Xavi declined to blame De la Fuente for Gavi’s injury and argued that the Spain boss was simply doing his job in a football calendar which is growing increasingly unmanageable.
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He continues
“I have a very good relationship with De la Fuente, we will speak on Tuesday.
“I don’t see a problem with the coach’s management, but rather with the match schedule.
The schedule is very demanding and is the main reason for the injury, beyond being accidental. Schedule, games, minutes.
There is no controversy with De la Fuente.”
Asked whether he had urged De la Fuente not to select Gavi, Xavi confirmed he had sent a routine fitness update to the Spanish Federation but insisted he did not have a say in the final decision.
“We always send a report with the load of matches, minutes.”
“We are in contact with all the federations, not just the Spanish one.
We always send a report, but, in the end, everyone makes their own decisions.”
Xavi himself suffered a similar injury in December 2005 and missed 32 games for club and country, and the Barca boss admitted he had used his experience to offer Gavi some advice.
“I have spoken with him because I had the same experience as him and that also made me more mature.”
“It helped me take better care of myself and be more professional.
“I told him recovery is key, don’t skip a day. It’s your knee and it’s very important that you don’t skip a day of recovery.”
