Only twenty days are left in the first meeting between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, as the two clubs will face each other on 28th October in La Liga. The Clasico rivals can be the top two clubs in the La Liga table after this round of matches, and they are expected to be the main protagonists for the Spanish Championship this season.
Barcelona have to play two other matches in the league before taking on Real Madrid, and the Catalans will have to be wary of one particular aspect in these two matches, i.e., bookings for Gavi.
Barcelona working on Gavi’s aggression
Gavi has been an essential part of Xavi’s squad this season, and his importance is even more pronounced in the current circumstances with Frenkie de Jong and Pedri out with injuries. Gavi brings a lot to the pitch with his presence, but the defining characteristic of his play style is his passion and commitment to Barcelona.
However, this passion regularly leads to bookings for Gavi, and he was sent off only in the last match against Porto after he got two yellow cards, with the second one coming at the end of the game which could have been easily avoided. Up to now, Gavi already has six yellow cards in ten games.
SPORT reports that Barcelona are working on this aspect of the game and helping him get more mature and calmer. Xavi himself disclosed this after the Porto match:
“I think he was controlling himself very well; I believe today has been an exception to what we have been working on. We are helping him mature; I think he has improved since we took charge. He was competing very well, and I think he was sent off for kicking the ball away because it wasn’t a second yellow card offense. There was very little time left, and the referee could have spared him the card.”
Gavi needs to avoid bookings in upcoming games
Still, Barcelona and Xavi are also aware that aggression and passion are essential parts of Gavi’s style of play, and changing these aspects can result in an overall deterioration of his game. The midfielder is thus working to properly manage his emotions and intensity in games to avoid unnecessary bookings.
With two games left before the Real Madrid game, Gavi will have to avoid getting a yellow in at least one of these games, as he currently has three yellow cards. Getting two more yellow cards means he would miss the next game, and thus against Granada and Atheltic Bilbao, the player will have to be extra careful with his aggression.
