Why is Gavi not playing for Barcelona against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League?

Xavi Hernández has no shortage of selection problems ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League home game against Shakhtar Donetsk, and indeed El Clásico, which follows on Saturday. While the Barcelona coach is sweating over the fitness of a number of players, one man who will, however, be expected to play against Real Madrid is Gavi.

The young midfielder should be fresh for one of the biggest LaLiga fixtures of the season as he isn’t available to face the Ukrainians. The 19-year-old has started both of Barça’s group stages matches so far, which have resulted in wins over Antwerp and Porto, but was sent off right at the end of the latter match.

Why was Gavi sent off against Porto?

Having already been booked for pulling an opposition player back towards the end of the first half, Gavi repeated the trick in injury time. With his team 1-0 up and trying to see out the game, it would’ve been a perfectly executed tactical foul…had it not led to a red card.

As a result, the Spain international must serve a one-match suspension against Shakhtar, which could hardly come at a worse time for the Catalans.

Which Barça players will miss El Clásico?

First-choice midfield duo Pedri and Frenkie de Jong are also absent due to injury, with only the former seemingly having any chance of featuring against Madrid at the weekend. That means Oriol Romeu, theoretically signed as midfield cover, and youngster Fermín López will get game time on Wednesday.

Robert Lewandowski, the only out-and-out striker on the first-team roster, and Raphinha are the other two players who won’t face Shakhtar but could still be involved at the weekend, although they are unlikely to be 100% fit.

Along with de Jong, neither Jules Koundé nor Sergi Roberto is expected to play any part in either game as they continue their own recoveries from injury.