FC Barcelona faces its next LaLiga match against Rayo Vallecano this Sunday in Madrid (9:30 PM CEST) without major absences due to injury. The situation has improved considerably compared to last season; the 'azulgrana' team, for now, does not suffer from significant absences for their trip to Vallecas beyond the injury of Marc-André Ter Stegen.

However, Gavi gave a scare during Friday's training session, leaving the Ciutat Esportiva with discomfort in one of his knees. According to information leaked by the program 'Tot Costa' of 'Catalunya Ràdio', the midfielder will undergo tests on Saturday to evaluate the condition of his leg.

Gavi's knee raises alarms before the visit to Vallecas

Gavi, in a training session at the Ciutat Esportiva

In Barcelona, they are very cautious about this due to the complete rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that the Andalusian suffered with Spain in November 2023, an injury that kept him off the field for almost a year.

Without taking many risks, Gavi was examined by the medical staff, and so far, he is doubtful for the match against Rayo, while waiting for the official medical report. For now, everything points to it being just a blow.

This would also compromise his call-up with the national team in the matches against Bulgaria and Turkey for the UEFA World Cup Qualifying.

For now, the 'azulgrana' infirmary only has two players:

  1. Marc-André ter Stegen: out due to lumbar problems. The German will be out for at least four months, after undergoing surgery in July.
  2. Marc Bernal: out due to a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and the external meniscus of the left knee. The midfielder already has medical clearance, but his return is scheduled for mid-September after the international break.

Ter Stegen, the only confirmed absence against Rayo; Marc Bernal feels his return

In that sense, waiting to know the physical condition of Gavi, another who will surely not be available in Vallecas will be Marc Bernal. Despite his medical discharge, it is likely that he will not be called up by Hansi Flick until after the FIFA date, maintaining caution against a possible relapse and allowing the player to recover physically and competitively completely.

For his part, Ter Stegen continues to train apart from the group after the lumbar operation that will leave him out for about four months. The long-term absence of the German allowed Joan García to be registered, who is expected to be an undisputed starter throughout the 25/26 season.

The rest of the Barça squad is physically fit, including Robert Lewandowski. The Pole has overcome his discomfort in his left thigh and could start in Vallecas, after being a substitute against Levante (he came on in the 75th minute for Ferran Torres) and missing the match against Mallorca on matchday 1.

Hansi Flick's team is looking for their third consecutive victory in LaLiga on the field where, just a year ago, Marc Bernal broke his left knee. In that visit to Rayo, Barça had Ronald Araujo, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Ansu Fati and Andreas Christensen in their infirmary, the latter an absence that allowed Dani Olmo to be registered.