FC Barcelona is no stranger to unnecessary injuries as well as untimely ones. The Catalan club has often seen their star players succumb to injuries in the most unfortunate of ways. Twisting while running or even getting injured in training, it is all a part of the sport.
However, then there come the avoidable injuries. Players that are fatigued or visibly tired are often rested in order to make sure that they feel comfortable and can recover with patience. Others that just recently return from long durations in recoveries are also given minutes sparingly to help them readjust.
It is for this exact reason that many are frustrated with Luis de la Fuente. The Spanish National team coach knew that the game against Georgia was one that had no significant stakes at play. Spain has already qualified for the Euros next year and needing to play his star players here was unnecessary.
However, even despite that, the one player that most certainly did not have to play was Gavi. The youngster was visibly fatigued after the last game against Cyprus, and hence needed rest. Yet, just like Spain’s previous management did with Barcelona star Pedri, Gavi was once again called upon unnecessarily.
With this rash decision, the consequence has come with even harsher extremes. The youngster suffers a severe injury, speculated by many to be an ACL injury, and could be out for an extended period of time.
As Mundo Deportivo confirms, the RFEF did not take long to comment on the injury: “(Gavi) suffers a significant injury to his right knee. He will need to carry out tests to find out the real extent of the injury.”
MD believes that the first impressions are quite pessimistic and a rupture of the cruciate ligament is feared within the Spanish camp.
It speaks volumes to the absurdity of de la Fuente’s decision to play Gavi given that the injury to the player has managed to steal all the headlines. Despite Spain’s impressive victory, the importance of the game was irrelevant to the point where a youngster’s injury overshadowed it.
Apologies aside, accountability must also be present. Gavi will now return to Barcelona to undergo further examination, but the Catalan club has once again been made the victim of yet another injury during the international break. The hectic schedule coupled with the youngster’s age are simply things that coaches need to start taking into consideration.
