Raphinha sidelined for Barcelona's crucial Champions League clash
Raphinha will not be available for Barcelona’s crucial UEFA Champions League match against Galatasaray as manager Hansi Flick prepares his squad for a challenging trip to Istanbul. The Brazilian forward's absence is particularly inconvenient for the Catalan club, which has enjoyed a perfect start to the season and is eager to maintain its momentum in European competition.
Barcelona is set to travel to RAMS Park on Tuesday, October 13, after winning all eight of their opening La Liga matches and securing a commanding 5-1 victory over Feyenoord in their Champions League opener. Meanwhile, Galatasaray is in need of a positive result after suffering a 3-1 defeat to Sporting CP in their first European fixture.
Flick’s side has been one of the standout teams in Europe during the initial weeks of the campaign. Barcelona's recent 3-0 win over Getafe extended their winning streak in La Liga to eight matches, leaving the club with 24 points, having scored 34 goals and conceded just seven.
The Catalan side also began their European campaign emphatically, defeating Feyenoord 5-1 at Camp Nou on September 9, with Raphinha scoring twice in that match. His attacking prowess will be sorely missed against Galatasaray.
Despite Raphinha's absence, Flick still has several quality options at his disposal in the final third. Gabriel Jesus is expected to lead the attack, with Lamine Yamal and Anthony Gordon providing width and creativity. Additionally, Pedri and Rodri will play crucial roles in Barcelona's efforts to control possession.
Raphinha is sidelined due to a muscle injury in the back of his right thigh, which he sustained while representing Brazil during the international break. He was substituted at half-time during Brazil’s 4-2 friendly victory over Australia on September 29 and subsequently returned to Barcelona for medical examinations.
Initial assessments were somewhat reassuring, as they did not indicate a major muscle tear. However, Barcelona is exercising caution due to Raphinha's history of three muscle injuries last season, raising concerns about the risk of further setbacks if he returns too soon.
Managing Raphinha's recovery timeline
Flick elaborated on the club's approach ahead of the Galatasaray fixture, stating, "The picture showed something, but it’s not a big injury." He added, "It’s something we have to take care of because last season he had three injuries there. He won’t be eligible tomorrow, nor in Istanbul either."
Barcelona's schedule following the international break has left little time for Raphinha to complete his recovery. He missed the La Liga match against Getafe on October 10 and has also been ruled out of the Champions League trip to Galatasaray on October 13. These two absences are part of the same recovery period rather than separate injury setbacks.
The club's priority is to ensure that Raphinha can return to full training without aggravating the injury. His absence is significant, as he has become an integral part of Flick’s attacking system. His pressing, movement, and ability to create chances provide Barcelona with an additional dimension, especially in matches where opponents tend to defend deep.
Raphinha’s potential return will depend on how quickly he progresses through rehabilitation and resumes full training. Barcelona's upcoming fixtures include a match against Real Betis on October 17, followed by a Champions League encounter with Paris Saint-Germain on October 20 and El Clasico against Real Madrid on October 25.
Once the Hype Clears
The PSG match has emerged as a possible target for Raphinha's return, but this should not be treated as a confirmed comeback date. Barcelona president Joan Laporta has reportedly expressed optimism regarding the winger’s recovery, stating, "The doctors say he’ll be available for the match in Paris."
This assessment indicates that the club is hopeful Raphinha will be ready for the trip to France, but his availability will ultimately depend on his medical progress and whether he can return to training without discomfort.
