Gabriel Jesus and Gavi boost Barcelona ahead of Valencia clash

Barcelona have received a double fitness boost before Sunday’s La Liga meeting with Valencia, with Gabriel Jesus and Gavi both completing Friday’s full training session with the first-team squad.

The session was held at the Tito Vilanova training ground as manager Hansi Flick continued preparations for Barcelona’s fourth league match of the season, which will be played at Mestalla.

According to Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus and Spain midfielder Gavi took part in the group session without restrictions.

Gabriel Jesus signed a contract with Barcelona until 2029 last Tuesday and trained with his new team-mates for the first time on Thursday. However, he was unable to maintain the same intensity throughout that session.

The former Arsenal forward completed Friday’s workout in full, meaning he is available to make his Barcelona debut if Flick decides he is ready to play.

Gavi has also now completed his first full training session with the squad since suffering a serious bruise against Elche in Barcelona’s opening match of the season. The injury forced him to leave the pitch before half-time and kept him out for more than a week.

His return provides another option in midfield as Flick prepares his side for the trip to Valencia.

Flick also once again included Iu Martinez, the 17-year-old winger from Barcelona’s Juvenil A team, in first-team training. The teenager has continued to work with the senior squad during the preparations for Sunday’s fixture.

The match will be Barcelona’s final visit to the current Mestalla unless the two sides meet there again later in the Copa del Rey.

Valencia are expected to move into the new Mestalla next season once construction work has been completed. That would make Sunday’s fixture the final scheduled league visit for Barcelona to the existing stadium.

Flick must now decide whether Gabriel Jesus has done enough to be involved in his first competitive appearance for the club. The Brazilian’s progress through two training sessions has been closely monitored, with his workload increasing from a partial session on Thursday to full participation on Friday.

Gavi’s return to group training is another encouraging development for Barcelona before the Valencia match. Both players have therefore declared themselves available, although their involvement and any starting roles will remain decisions for Flick.

Barcelona travel to Mestalla looking to continue their league campaign with a squad strengthened by the return of the Spain international and the arrival of their new Brazilian forward.