The midfielder sits out a match after collecting three yellow cards between the Champions League and the Europa League first leg.
Barcelona heads to Manchester to face Manchester United in search of a place in the UEFA Europa League round of 16. Xavi Hernández travels to Old Trafford with two major injury concerns, Pedri and Dembélé, while the spotlight falls on Pablo Martin Páez Gavira, known as Gavi.
Why Gavi misses the Manchester United vs Barcelona return leg in the 2022-2023 Europa League Round of 16
Gavi cannot feature in the second leg of the Europa League round of 16 because he is suspended. The young midfielder from Los Palacios is serving a one match ban after collecting three yellow cards across the competition, having already been cautioned in the first leg at Camp Nou and accumulating two cautions in the Champions League group stage to reach the threshold that enforces the suspension.
Xavi will field an almost unprecedented midfield arrangement as Pedri remains sidelined by injury. The manager must cope without the Spanish talent and turns to Sergio Busquets, who returns from an injury, alongside Frenkie de Jong and another midfielder, with options to pair in the engine room. Sergi Roberto, who contributed with a goal and an assist in the most recent La Liga win against Cádiz, is also in the selection mix as Barcelona adapts to a high-stakes clash away from home.
In this high-pressure fixture, the Barcelona squad faces a tactical test against a United side eager to advance in Europe. The absence of Gavi reshapes the visitors’ plans and invites coaches on both sides to mix experience with fresh legs in a match that could hinge on midfield control and pressing intensity. The match atmosphere at Old Trafford will be intense, and the result may hinge on how well Barça manages without one of their rising stars while leveraging the leadership of veteran players and the creative spark from other centers of the team.
The broader context underlines how European tournaments distribute opportunities. Managers weigh the value of strategic substitutions, the risk of fatigue, and the balance between defending compactly and attacking with bite. This round of 16 tie is framed by recent form, injury cycles, and the tactical philosophy each club wants to impose on the match, with grabbing momentum early potentially making the difference in a two-leg tie.
Analysts note that Gavi’s absence underscores the importance of squad depth and the readiness of midfield options under pressure. Barcelona’s plan likely emphasizes compact defending and rapid transitions, while United will push to control the tempo and exploit spaces behind the midfield line. The blend of experience and youth on Barça’s bench could prove pivotal as the match unfolds in Manchester, where two-legged ties in European competition demand discipline, tempo, and a touch of audacity from the players.
In summary, the suspension for Gavi reshapes Barça’s midfield architecture and intensifies the tactical challenge facing Xavi as he navigates a crucial European night on foreign soil. The outcome will not only determine advancement in the Europa League but also reveal how well Barcelona adapts when a key developmental talent is temporarily unavailable, tested by a formidable opponent in a cauldron-like atmosphere at Old Trafford.