According to reports, Barcelona will play a crucial match this Sunday at José Zorrilla Stadium. Between the two legs of the Champions League semifinals against Inter, Hans-Dieter Flick’s team will face Valladolid, who are at the bottom of La Liga and have mathematically been relegated to the second division. A team with internal conflicts and a squad unable to compete at the top level of Spanish football, but with nothing to lose in the final five weeks of La Liga.

Flick will make significant rotations in his lineup. The injury to Jules Koundé, who has been a starter from the first match of the season until the game against Inter, shows that the packed schedule is taking its toll on Barça. With Alejandro Balde and Robert Lewandowski recovering, Flick will rest most of his key players for this match. The second team must perform well to avoid dropping any points, as Real Madrid is hot on their heels.

Under these circumstances, and considering that the next La Liga match is against Real Madrid—a decisive clash in the title race—Flick will also pay attention to players at risk of suspension due to yellow cards. Among the four players at risk, Jules Koundé is already ruled out due to injury. The other three are Iñigo Martínez, Raphinha, and Gavi.

It is likely that the first two will be rested, as they are among the players with the most minutes this season, and Barça needs them in top condition for the match against Inter at Giuseppe Meazza. However, Gavi’s situation is different. The young midfielder is a key option to start against Valladolid, as he was benched in both the Copa del Rey final and the first leg of the Champions League semifinal, playing only 42 minutes in total.

Flick needs the best version of Gavi at Zorrilla Stadium. Many changes are expected in the starting lineup, and it is crucial that experienced players stepping in perform well. As for Gavi, there is no doubt he will bring his usual intensity. However, he must be cautious in challenges to avoid a yellow card and miss El Clásico, which takes place next Sunday at Montjuïc.

In the extra time of the Copa del Rey final, Gavi played a key role, justifying Flick’s faith in him. Players who finish games are as important as those who start them. Although the La Masia graduate has rarely started in big matches this season, his fighting spirit as a substitute has been a blessing for Barça. His absence against Real Madrid in such a decisive phase would be a major blow for Flick, and Gavi must give his all in the match against Valladolid.