Gavi returns after 348 days out

The good news for Barça on Sunday was not just the 5-1 win over Sevilla that keeps them three points clear at the top of the table, but also the return of Gavi to action in a blaugrana shirt after 348 days out. The midfielder suffered a serious knee injury players for Spain on 19 November last year and his last appearance for Barça before Sunday had been in the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk on 7 November. 

Ovation in the 83rd minutes

The long awaited moment came in the 83rd minute in the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys when a season record crowd of 47,848 saw Gavi come to replace Pedri. The ovation was just as loud as the one heard just some minutes before when the much loved midfielder came off the bench to warm up. 

Return for Fermín as well 

Gavi was not the only player to make a comeback against Sevilla as in the 66th minute Fermín López came on to replace Raphinha. After recovering from a hamstring injury the midfielder made his first appearance since 17 September when he took part in Barça's 7-0 win over Valladolid.