Barcelona coach Xavi feels they've badly missed Gavi this season.

Barca lost Gavi early into the campaign to an ACL injury while playing for Spain.

At his Copa del Rey presser today, Xavi said: "We have missed Gavi's leadership. His is a stab in the heart, he is the soul of the team.

"The loss of (Marc-Andre) Ter Stegen, Raphinha, (Joao) Cancelo... They are not excuses, it is a reality, like the economic situation and not being able to sign."

On Gavi, he continued: "It is difficult to replace his role, there is no other, he is the soul, it is very difficult to replace. We have to work harder as a group, we miss him a lot."