Gavi’s position in Barcelona’s midfield has become far more difficult to lock down, with Rodri’s increasing importance under Hansi Flick reshaping the competition around the academy graduate, according to SPORT.

The Spain international had tailored his preparation specifically for the new campaign and was rewarded with a place in the starting lineup for Barcelona’s opening league match at Elche.

However, a badly timed setback to his right leg, involving the knee that had previously been injured, forced him to sit out the subsequent matches against Athletic Club and Rayo Vallecano.

That break in continuity arrived at the worst possible time, as Rodri took advantage of those games to improve his fitness and sharpen his match rhythm, and his rise since then has made Gavi’s path back into Flick’s first-choice XI significantly more difficult.

The problem is not merely that Rodri has stepped into Gavi’s spot. Instead, his partnership with Pedri has provided Flick with a midfield setup that leaves fewer chances for another player to operate at the base of play.

Gavi’s minutes have dropped since Rodri’s rise.

Rodri has already underlined how influential he has become by playing the full 90 minutes against Levante. His capacity to cover ground and control possession has turned him into a key piece in Flick’s tactical thinking.

Gavi, on the other hand, has seen chances slip away. He was an unused substitute against Valencia and Levante, while his only outing against Feyenoord lasted just seven minutes.

There is little indication that Flick has lost confidence in Gavi. On the contrary, the midfielder’s response during this challenging period seems to be counting in his favour.

Gavi has continued working in training with the same intensity, staying engaged with his teammates and giving his full effort despite his diminished role.

That level of commitment has reportedly impressed Flick, who is expected to hand him more playing time in the near future.

Rodri is currently Hansi Flick’s preferred option.

For now, though, the season remains long, and Barcelona will require different types of players over the course of a demanding schedule.

With that in mind, Gavi’s energy, aggression and versatility are still valuable assets, especially in matches that call for more intensity in midfield.

The larger issue is that Pedri remains firmly established, while Marc Bernal has also emerged as Flick’s preferred interior option whenever Pedri needs a rest, leaving Gavi to battle for space in an increasingly crowded midfield unit.

His short-term task, then, is not only to win back an unquestioned starting role, but also to force his way back into the regular rotation.

Rodri’s arrival has clearly narrowed Gavi’s margin for error, but it has not diminished his importance.