'I have no problem with Luis de la Fuente' - Barcelona boss Xavi refuses to blame Spain manager for Gavi’s season-ending ACL tear sustained on international duty

The 19-year-old suffered a severe knee injury playing for his national team, completely rupturing the ACL in his right knee, while also damaging his meniscus. He will undergo an operation next week, and will be out for at least nine months while he recovers. The injury has been met with controversy in some corners, as Spain didn't need to win the fixture in which Gavi picked up his injury.

Despite the controversy, Xavi insisted in Friday's press conference that he doesn't blame the Spain boss: "I have a very good relationship with De la Fuente. He called me on Tuesday and we were talking. I don’t think it’s a problem of a coach’s management, but rather the calendar. With Gavi’s age, he has a lot of minutes. Sometimes it’s a matter of misfortune. I think it’s to do with the calendar, of minutes."

Despite his insistence that De la Fuente isn't to blame, Xavi admitted that Gavi will be an immense loss for the Blaugrana, adding: "Gavi’s loss is a disgrace for us. He is irreplaceable. The heart, the desire and the courage he puts in… we have to try to replace him but it is difficult. Tomorrow we would need Gavi, for example. Because of the game that it is, the rival that it is. Vallecas [Rayo Vallecano's stadium] is always very complicated. In recent times we have not been able to beat this team. We have been able to train quite well with those who have stayed."

The Barca manager will set up his side as they face Rayo Vallecano tomorrow. Aside from Gavi, he will have a full-strength squad at his disposal, including Frenkie de Jong, who has recovered from a high ankle sprain sustained in late August.