What criticism has not poured down on Luis Enrique and the Spanish national team in recent months. On Wednesday, all that was wiped away in one fell swoop – thanks in part to a new “prodigy”.
Convincing all along the line at the Giuseppe Meazza, ending Italy’s world-record series in the fashionable city – and still consistently relying on youth: Spain was enraptured by its national team after the 2-1 in Italy. Manchester City’s Ferran Torres scored both goals for the Furia Roja. But the topic of conversation for both coaches afterwards was someone else.
Gavi, at the tender age of 17 years and 62 days the youngest international ever to play for the Spanish senior team, was the talk of the town and not just because of his age. “For only 17, he’s a great player,” enthused Italy coach Roberto Mancini: “Spain has great talent generation after generation and is very lucky to have players like him.”
Luis Enrique had been watching Gavi for some time – and was surprised. “It’s unusual for him to play like this,” said the 51-year-old: “He’s a player with personality, enviable physical condition, our style of play.” Moreover, he said, it could already be said that he is “the present of the national team, not the future. “
Not yet 300 La Liga minutes
69 ball contacts, a pass rate of 89 per cent from 53 passes, seven fouls and a tackling rate of 35 per cent were on the books for him after 83 minutes before he was replaced by club-mate Sergi Roberto. Both play for FC Barcelona, although Gavi was only brought up from the U19s this summer and has less than 300 La Liga minutes to his name in five appearances (one assist).
At the San Siro, Gavi played the right side of a three-man midfield with Atletico’s Koke and fellow Barça player Sergio Busquets. He offered himself constantly, never showed any signs of insecurity and got down to business when he had to. The seven fouls – the most of the 18 Spanish fouls – are proof of that. Five times he successfully recovered a ball. His remarkable maturity also put Gavi’s role model Marco Verratti in the shade, whom, according to the “Gazzetta dello Sport”, he caused a few “problems”.
It only remains to be seen whether Gavi can confirm this strong impression in the Nations League final on Sunday (20.45, LIVE! on kicker).
