Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has announced the return of key defenders Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde after over a month sidelined, along with Eric Garcia. However, the positive news is overshadowed by a fresh injury to Raphinha, which Flick described as a blow given their upcoming match against a top European team. Midfielder Frenkie de Jong is expected to resume group training next week, as Flick stated, “The good news is that we have Kounde, Balde, and Eric back. With Frenkie, he’ll be able to start training with the group next week. But one step at a time. We must wait.”
Raphinha’s Recovery Plan After Being ‘Very Down’
The absence of Raphinha significantly impacts Barcelona’s performance, as evidenced by their record this season. Flick revealed the Brazilian winger was deeply affected by his latest injury. In an unusual move, and in consultation with Deco, Raphinha was granted a few days in Brazil with his family to recover mentally before beginning his physical rehabilitation. Flick emphasized that injuries are an unavoidable part of football and decisions like this are sometimes necessary for a player’s well-being. “There are no guilty parties. It’s an injury, and that’s part of football; we have to accept it. It hasn’t come at the best time, which saddens us,” Flick explained. He added, “We were talking on FaceTime and he was very down, and to help him relax and clear his head, we decided together with Deco he could spend a few days relaxing in Brazil with his family.”
Alternatives to Raphinha on the Left Flank
Discussing potential replacements for Raphinha on the left flank, Flick highlighted Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford as a strong contender, noting his recent good form despite minor physical issues. He also surprisingly named Gavi as an option, praising his recovery to a high training level, alongside Fermin Lopez, giving the coach multiple choices for the attacking role. Flick stated, “I’m happy with Marcus; he’s performing well. He’s had some physical problems in recent weeks, but now’s an opportunity for him. We also have other options like Fermin or Gavi, who’s at a very high level. I’m happy he has recovered that level in training. We’ll see what we decide, because we have several choices.”
Flick on Metropolitano Pitch and Opponent
Flick lauded Diego Simeone’s Atlético Madrid as “one of the best teams in the league and in Europe,” acknowledging their quality and the ability of any player to be a game-changer. He stressed the importance of minimizing errors compared to their last encounter at the Metropolitano, stating, “It’s very important not to make as many mistakes as in the last match there.” The manager also addressed concerns about the playing surface at the Metropolitano, which had previously caused Barcelona players to lose their footing. He informed his players to prepare by potentially changing their boot studs to adapt to the pitch conditions, emphasizing, “We’ve talked about it. I’ve told the players that we need to look into this and they might have to change their studs. They need to prepare and adapt, it’s their responsibility.”
Barcelona currently holds a four-point lead at the top of La Liga, though Real Madrid could reduce this to a single point before their upcoming game at the Metropolitano. With Raphinha sidelined and a challenging fixture list ahead, the Catalan giants face a difficult period filled with potential obstacles.
