Barcelona youngster’s reintegration after long-term absence will follow the Gavi path | OneFootball

Marc Bernal is entering the final phase of his recovery from an ACL injury. The Barcelona midfielder is currently training alone at the Ciutat Esportiva, working to strengthen his left knee at a controlled pace, with the priority being that he is ready for pre-season.

Bernal’s injury occurred on 27 August 2024 against Rayo Vallecano, just in his third first-team appearance.

More than ten months have passed since the incident, and the 18-year-old is now able to run, make contact with the ball, and complete the individual training sessions designed for him by Barcelona – all with positive results.

A similar plan as Gavi

According to SPORT, Bernal’s recovery plan and reintegration into the first-team setup will closely mirror that of Gavi.

The midfielder suffered an ACL injury in November 2023 and spent ten months sidelined. It took nearly a year before he returned to the starting lineup, and the player himself has acknowledged that it was an unusual year.

From being an undisputed starter, he became a rotational player – still important, but no longer ever-present.

Gavi has now put that process behind him and will begin pre-season with Barcelona on Sunday fully fit. He has left behind the injury that caused him so much distress.

In the final phase of his recovery. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

The approach with Bernal is similar. By mid-August, when the new season begins, the youngster is expected to be medically cleared and ready to start appearing in matches. However, his involvement will be gradual.

The club is determined to avoid any risk. Barcelona will open the season with three consecutive away matches – against Mallorca, Levante, and Rayo Vallecano – during which Bernal is expected to get his first minutes.

Normality could return after the first international break, with the home match against Valencia at the new Spotify Camp Nou scheduled for 14 September.

Flick’s support key

Bernal is working calmly, encouraged by the confidence Hansi Flick has placed in him. The German manager fully trusts the midfielder and plans to reinstate him as the team’s starting pivot once he regains his best form.

There is no set timeline; Bernal’s own progress will determine when he returns to action.

The player has gone from experiencing anxiety during the early weeks of his injury to approaching the situation with much more composure. The support of those around him and the close attention of Flick’s coaching staff have been vital.

In the three matches he played last season, Bernal showed real promise and he will be aiming to hit the ground running again when he is ready to return.