When Barcelona steps onto the pitch on the Jan Breydel Stadium to face Membership Brugge within the UEFA Champions League, one key identify can be lacking from the lineup: Raphinha. The Brazilian winger, who has lengthy been certainly one of Hansi Flick’s most trusted attacking shops, is not going to function within the squad for the fourth match of the league section.
The Blaugrana enters this encounter in sturdy however cautious type. Two wins and one defeat have earned them six factors within the new league-format Champions League, inserting them in competition for a Prime 8 end. Their final European outing, a good 2-1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain, served as a wake-up name to Flick’s staff. Since then, victories over Newcastle and Olympiacos have restored confidence.
In the meantime, Membership Brugge finds itself in a struggle to outlive. The Belgian aspect sits in twentieth place after one win and two defeats, together with a bruising 4-0 loss to Bayern Munich. But at house, the Blue-Black has been nothing in need of formidable, unbeaten in seven matches throughout all competitions.
For Barcelona, this match represents an opportunity to regular their rhythm amid a congested calendar. However the absence of a number of stars — Pedri, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Gavi, and Raphinha — means Flick will as soon as once more depend on youth and improvisation.
The rationale behind Raphinha’s absence
In line with Cadena SER, Raphinha suffered a severe setback in coaching simply earlier than El Clasico, reigniting the hamstring damage that first struck him in September towards Actual Oviedo. The incident unfolded dramatically behind the scenes.
The winger had returned to full coaching on October 22, solely to really feel a slight twinge in his leg the next day. Medical employees initially dismissed it as minor, however throughout his third session again, catastrophe struck — a new muscle tear pressured him to cease instantly. As the report recommended, “Hansi Flick was livid after studying of the relapse and demanded explanations from the medical staff.”
It was a crushing blow for each coach and participant. The Brazilian had been scheduled to begin towards Actual Madrid within the Clasico, a match Barcelona went on to lose 2-1. Flick, sources declare, “views Raphinha as essential to his system — on the identical degree of significance as Pedri and Lamine Yamal, due to his starvation, depth, and management.”
Raphinha of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring a aim.
When is he anticipated to return?
Following the relapse, Barcelona adopted a much more cautious method to the Brazilian’s restoration. In line with Sport, the 28-year-old winger is now “coming into the ultimate levels of rehabilitation” and will rejoin full coaching within the coming days. Whereas he is not going to play in Bruges, the expectation is that he would possibly return after the worldwide break, probably towards Celta Vigo. “He’s within the ultimate stretch of restoration,” a membership insider informed Sport. “He’s responding properly, however no dangers can be taken this time.”
Even Brazil’s nationwide staff has taken notice. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti opted to go away Raphinha out of the Selecao’s squad for the November fixtures, permitting the participant to proceed his restoration in Spain. For the Catalan outfit, this determination was welcome information — an opportunity to handle his return with out exterior strain.
