Gavi returns as Jesus and Livaković receive first Barcelona call-ups

Barcelona have named a 24-man squad for Sunday’s La Liga match away to Valencia. Gavi returns after recovering from a knee knock, while Gabriel Jesus and Dominik Livaković have received their first matchday call-ups for the first team.

Lamine Yamal will also travel to Mestalla despite training separately on Saturday. His name is on the list, although his place in the starting eleven remains considerably less certain.

THREE CHANGES TO FLICK’S SQUAD

Gavi is available again after sustaining a blow to his knee during the match against Elche. The midfielder has recovered sufficiently to be included in the travelling party.

Gabriel Jesus and Dominik Livaković are the other two new faces. Both have been selected for the first time, but their inclusion should not be presented as confirmation that they will make their Barcelona debuts against Valencia.

Hansi Flick said Gabriel Jesus is not yet ready to play a full match. The coach nevertheless suggested that the Brazilian could be used for a limited period, potentially during the second half.

Flick also spoke positively about what he had seen from the striker in training. Barcelona therefore have another attacking option available, even if that option is not yet operating at full capacity.

LAMINE TRAVELS AFTER TRAINING SEPARATELY

Lamine Yamal did not join the rest of the squad for Saturday’s final training session. Barcelona explained that he worked separately as a precaution after suffering a knock.

Flick said the winger was feeling well and confirmed that he would travel. The coach hopes Lamine can play, but stopped short of confirming either his availability for 90 minutes or a place in the starting line-up.

“AS” reports that Flick planned to speak with the player before making the final decision. The newspaper believes Lamine could still start, although that remains a media prediction rather than an official team announcement.

It leaves Barcelona with one of those carefully balanced updates in which the player is fit enough to travel, not fit enough to train with the group and possibly fit enough to start. The squad list is official. Everything beyond that will be settled at Mestalla.

BARCELONA TAKE 24 PLAYERS TO VALENCIA

The travelling squad consists of Joan García, Wojciech Szczęsny, Dominik Livaković, João Cancelo, Alejandro Balde, Pau Cubarsí, Andreas Christensen, Gerard Martín, Jules Koundé, Eric García, Xavi Espart, Brian Fariñas, Gavi, Fermín López, Pedri, Rodrigo, Dani Olmo, Marc Bernal, Gabriel Jesus, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Karim Adeyemi, Anthony Gordon and Hamza Abdelkarim.

Valencia host Barcelona at Mestalla on Sunday, 6 September, with kick-off scheduled for 4:15pm CEST. Following Real Madrid’s 1–0 defeat to Real Betis, Barcelona have an opportunity to finish the weekend as outright La Liga leaders.

The squad offers Flick more alternatives and two potential debutants. Turning those options into three points remains the more important part of the trip.