Maximum caution for Gavi with the Clasico on the horizon

The football of Gavi - who has taken a step forward this season and has earned himself the label of indisputable in Xavi Hernandez's plans - cannot be understood without his passion and intensity. "I would give everything for Barça," the youth player said recently in an interview in 'La Vanguardia' which was published on the same day he was sent off - with a second card he could have avoided - in Porto.

With the two yellow cards he picked up at Do Dragão, the Andalusian now has six this season in ten games played.

"I think he was controlling himself very well, I think today was an exception to what we have been working on," said the coach after the Champions League victory in Portugal. "We are helping him to mature, I think he has improved since we have been in charge. He was competing very well and I think he was sent off for moving the ball, because it wasn't a second yellow. There was very little time left and the referee could have spared him".

The midfielder is working, as Xavi explained, on self-control and the management of emotions and intensity in matches to minimise cautions. On more than one occasion, Xavi has commented to Gavi that he must control his temperament, although he has also said that "he is like that and it is difficult for him to change", because if he does change, perhaps he would not be so good. Because it's in his DNA, it's the way he is and therefore the way he plays.

Against Granada he has been warned. He cannot be booked. Because it would be his fourth and he would be suspended for the game against Athletic, just after the break and before the clásico, with the Champions League game against Shakhtar that he already will miss because of the sending-off in Porto. It is an opportunity for the 'prince' of Los Palacios to show his coach, who trusts him so much, that he can be intense and passionate but also mature. Because the rival knows that Barça is more dangerous with Gavi on the ball. And they will not leave him alone.