It was a moment that perfectly captured the essence of their bond. After putting Barcelona ahead against Real Betis with a beautifully taken goal, Gavi ran straight to the touchline and embraced Hansi Flick.
The gesture said more than words ever could—this is a player who feels trusted, valued and supported by his coach, and Flick, in return, has taken every step to guide the young midfielder back to his best.
Gavi’s performance was not just a symbolic one; it was arguably his finest display of the season.
Having been gradually reintegrated by Flick following a physically demanding first half of the campaign, the 20-year-old looks like a player finally regaining his sharpness.
Against Betis, Gavi was reinstated in the advanced midfield role and he flourished. The Cup break, where he did not play against Atletico Madrid, proved pivotal, allowing him time to recharge both physically and mentally.
Gavi’s performance in numbers
The result? A dominant display full of precision, purpose, and maturity far beyond his years.
In numbers, Gavi’s night was superb:
85 interventions with zero losses of possession—a statistic that speaks volumes about his composure under pressure.
66% of his touches were limited to one or two, a sign of quick decision-making and smooth ball circulation.
15 passes into the final third, with seven considered of high merit.
🔬 LES DADES DEL LABORATORI DE @Carles_Domenech I @marcdomenech13 SOBRE GAVI
— LaTdT (@LaTdT) April 5, 2025
Un Gavi intervencionista i, sobretot, recuperador. Ha recuperat 10 pilotes i no n'ha perdut cap!
▶️ Tot a El Tercer Temps! https://t.co/cr5TY5RgDgpic.twitter.com/tLb99eQjuL
10 ball recoveries, proving once again that his work rate off the ball remains tireless.
And then came the goal—his 10th for the club—set up by a sharp assist from Ferran Torres. Gavi met it with confidence, guiding it past the Betis goalkeeper to celebrate not only a crucial goal but also his 100th La Liga appearance for Barcelona.
Including all competitions, he now stands at 140 games, with 17 assists alongside his 10 goals—a remarkable tally for someone still in his teens.
Flick’s appreciation is visible
Flick clearly sees him not just as a regular starter but as a midfielder capable of anchoring multiple systems—central, wide, advanced or deep.
Few players in the squad offer such flexibility, and Flick is making full use of that asset.
The manager-player relationship here is becoming one of the most vital pillars of Barcelona’s midfield.
Flick trusts Gavi to deliver, and Gavi is rewarding that faith with performances that blend grit, technique, and clarity of purpose.
The future looks bright, and if Gavi continues on this path, Barcelona may well ...
