Barcelona midfielder Gavi has shed light on manager Hansi Flick’s decision to substitute him at halftime in their emphatic 4-1 victory over Sevilla in La Liga.

The win at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium was crucial for Barcelona, as it helped them close the gap on league leaders Real Madrid and second-placed Atletico Madrid. Despite a momentary scare when Sevilla equalized through Rubén Vargas, Barça dominated proceedings with goals from Robert Lewandowski, Fermín López, Raphinha, and Eric García.

Why Was Gavi Taken Off?

Gavi, who recently recovered from a head injury sustained in Barcelona’s 1-0 win over Deportivo Alavés, struggled physically in the first half against Sevilla. Adding to his troubles, he was booked in the 38th minute for a foul on Adrià Pedrosa, prompting Flick to take no risks and replace him with Fermín López at the break.

Speaking after the match, Gavi explained the manager’s decision:

“I was in a lot of pain, and the manager told me that I had a yellow card and that this was not the game to do anything stupid. Everyone knows that referees don’t cut corners with me.”

Despite his early exit, the young midfielder praised his teammates’ performance, especially Fermín López, who not only restored Barcelona’s lead but also played a key role before his red card in the 62nd minute.

“Fermín really had a great game. He came on and decided the match. I’m very happy for him.”

Barça’s Title Hopes Still Alive?

Barcelona’s dominant win sends a strong message to their title rivals. While Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid remain ahead, Gavi insists the race is far from over:

“I’ve already said that the league is very long. People thought we weren’t going to be there, but we’re just two points behind. We have to keep going and win everything that’s left to win this championship.”

With renewed confidence and a squad showing resilience even when down to 10 men, Barcelona are far from out of the title race. However, consistency will be key if they want to catch up with their Madrid rivals.

What do you think—can Barcelona still challenge for the La Liga title? Share your thoughts!