According to a report by Barca Universal on Saturday October 31, 2026, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is considering handing Gavi a starting opportunity against Deportivo Alaves, with the midfielder potentially joining Pedri and Rodri in an unfamiliar midfield combination.

According to reports, the 22-year-old is among the candidates to feature from the beginning as Barcelona prepare for a demanding schedule before the November international break.

Flick is expected to rotate his squad for the Alaves encounter, particularly with several first-team players unavailable and important matches against Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid approaching.

Gavi has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter this season, having accumulated just 191 minutes of playing time. However, Dani Olmo's injury has reduced Barcelona's midfield options and could provide the Spaniard with an opportunity to impress.

Barcelona have confirmed that Olmo is expected to miss around a month after suffering an adductor injury. Fermin Lopez may also need to have his workload managed carefully because of the busy fixture schedule.

Gavi's energy, pressing ability and intensity in midfield could make him a valuable option for Flick, especially as Barcelona look to respond after consecutive defeats against Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

If selected alongside Pedri and Rodri, the youngster would be part of a midfield trio that Flick has not started together this season.

The potential combination would also represent the seventh different midfield arrangement used by the German coach during the current campaign.

Pedri and Rodri have regularly featured alongside Fermin Lopez and Olmo, while Gavi and Marc Bernal have generally received fewer opportunities from the beginning of matches.

Flick could use the Alaves fixture to assess the balance of the new combination, particularly its technical quality, defensive contribution and intensity.

Barcelona's upcoming schedule is another factor behind the possible changes. The Catalans face Aston Villa in midweek before travelling to take on Atletico Madrid on November 8.

Frenkie de Jong, Marc Bernal, Fermin Lopez and Brian Farinas remain available as midfield alternatives, giving Flick several options to manage his players' workload.

Gavi will therefore hope to take advantage of the opportunity if selected, as he looks to earn a more prominent role in the Barcelona team.

However, his inclusion in the starting lineup against Alaves is not yet confirmed, with Flick still expected to make his final selection ahead of the encounter.