Gavi travels to England

The midfielder Pablo Páez Gavira 'Gavi', still without medical clearance, will be part of the Barcelona squad to face Newcastle this Tuesday in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16.

The inclusion of the Andalusian footballer, who is in the final stages of recovering from the meniscus injury in his right knee for which he was operated on at the end of September, is the only new addition in coach Hansi Flick's lineup.

Flick's explanation

The German coach already explained last Friday that Gavi would travel with the team, but hinted that his return to the playing field in an official match would not happen until after the next international break, at the beginning of April.

Line-up against Newcastle

Thus, the azulgrana expedition will be made up of goalkeepers Joan García, Szczesny, and Kochen; defenders Cancelo, Araujo, Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Eric, Cortés, and Xavi Espart; midfielders Gavi, Pedri, Fermín, Casadó, Olmo, Bernal, and Tommy Marqués; and forwards Ferran, Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Roony, and Rashford.

As already happened in the victory this Saturday against Athletic Club in LaLiga EA Sports (0-1), Flick will not be able to count on the injured Frenkie de Jong, Andreas Christensen, Jules Koundé, and Alejandro Balde, in addition to Gavi.

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