Gavi Condemns Criticism Ahead Of The Champions League Quarter-Final Between Barcelona Vs Dortmund

JAKARTA - Barcelona midfielder Gavi criticized his talent as a football player, saying they "did not know anything" ahead of the Champions League quarter-finals against Borussia Dortmund on Thursday, April 10, 2025, early morning WIB.

The 20-year-old was praised for his persistence, energy, and work ethic, but he felt his ability to process the ball was ignored.

"It's true what you say," Gavi responded to a journalist at a press conference on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, when asked about the label of a tough player but not a technical player.

"A lot of people think I don't know how to play football. They don't know anything. That's true, but I understand, it's football. Everyone thinks what they want to think, so it's okay," he said.

Gavi missed the start of the season as he is still recovering from the ACL (anterior crude league) injury he experienced at the end of 2023.

He returned in November 2024 and since then came in and out of the team, appeared 29 times in all competitions and scored three goals.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has played him in various midfield positions.

Gavi also praised the German coach even though he admitted that he wanted to have a bigger role in the team.

"There was a great understanding with Flick. He understood that I had just recovered from an old injury."

"It wasn't easy after a year's absence, but he showed a lot of trust in me. I'm very happy to have him as a coach."

"He plays me in many positions and it can improve my game, both at the basic level and in attacks."

"I will be more complete as a player, which is a good thing. There are many appearances as a number 10 player, but he knows I can also play as a double pivot or player number 6."

"I keep growing every day and even better for me because I was able to fulfill those different roles."

"It's true that I don't have the most important roles in other seasons, but it's normal after I came back from a long injury."

"I'm very happy with the recovery I'm doing. If you tell me I'm going to have this season after recovering from injury, I'll accept it," Gavi said.

Meanwhile, Barcelona will host Dortmund in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals as they continue to target trebles this season.

In addition to European tournaments, the Blaugrana are also in the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid later this month and are now four points ahead at the top of La Liga standings.

"We had a spectacular season, but we didn't feel unbeaten."

"You can't always win football. We have to be humble in every game, given our origins, and remain grounded. There are still many matches to go through," Gavi said as Barcelona sought to make 23 matches unbeaten by 2025.

Flick sent a similar message, warning his team that they should not forget the hard work that has brought them to this point towards the end of the season.

"I've always said that we can dream, but here we have to keep grounded."

"It is important for us to know that what we have achieved (so far), has gone through a lot of hard work and a lot of preparation."

"We don't want this to be the end, we'll see if tomorrow we will be able to give the best we've done in the last game."

"We haven't lost this year - we want to keep it," Flick told a news conference before the match against Dortmund.

Barcelona host Dortmund at the Lluis Companys Stadium in the first leg of the Champions League, Thursday, April 10, 2025, early morning WIB.