Barcelona Coach Hansi Flick Banks on Gavi and Marc Bernal for Midfield Transformation
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick is reportedly placing significant trust in midfielders Gavi and Marc Bernal to lead the transformation of the team's central area. Both players are expected to approach the 2026/27 season with a renewed outlook, following challenging periods marked by injury. Flick anticipates they will become mainstays, embodying the club's spirit through their intensity, personality, and availability in the upcoming season, and views them as crucial to strengthening the midfield.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick is reportedly relying on midfielders Gavi and Marc Bernal to transform the team's central area. Both players are expected to enter the 2026/27 season with a renewed outlook after two challenging periods shaped by injury management. Flick expresses full confidence in them, anticipating they will become mainstays and embody the club's distinctive spirit, providing intensity, personality, and availability in the upcoming season. He expects them to take a significant step forward.
Gavi's recent season was primarily focused on recovery from a serious knee injury. Following surgery, he made his return in March and progressively regained confidence, rhythm, and his role within the squad. By the end of the campaign, he was starting in key matches, including the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Atletico Madrid. His versatility, demonstrated by playing deeper in midfield and occasionally on the left wing, also proved valuable. Gavi has since received a call-up to the World Cup with Spain.
Marc Bernal, 19, also navigated injury challenges, including a lengthy knee injury followed by an ankle issue late in the season. Despite these setbacks, Bernal performed capably when available, notably stepping up during periods when Pedri and Frenkie de Jong were sidelined. Standing at 1.93 metres, Bernal offers a rare combination of physical presence and technical quality in Barcelona's midfield, in addition to showing an eye for goal last season. He is considered an exciting talent developed at La Masia. As Bernal is not participating in the World Cup, he can commence pre-season from its first day, which could offer a notable advantage.
Both players are seen internally as critical to strengthening the midfield, particularly in light of reports that Bernardo Silva is set to sign for Real Madrid. Flick's message indicates that Gavi and Bernal are considered more than just backup options and are central to his plans for the upcoming season.
According to Yahoo Sports Soccer, Flick has considerable plans for both players.
