Barcelona will be without Raphinha for their next two matches after the Brazilian returned from international duty with a hamstring problem. He has scored 14 goals in eight games this season. Coach Hansi Flick says the injury is not serious, and Gabriel Jesus is set to start in his place.
Barcelona forward Raphinha will miss the club’s next two matches with a hamstring problem, coach Hansi Flick has confirmed, according to ESPN.
He picked up the injury in Brazil’s 4-2 friendly win over Australia last week.
What Flick Said
“The [scan] showed something,” Flick said on Friday, October 9, ahead of Saturday’s LaLiga game against Getafe at Spotify Camp Nou.
“It’s not a big injury, but we have to take care about this. Last season, I think [he had] three injuries like this, so we take care. He’s not available tomorrow or in Istanbul against Galatasaray.”
When He Will Be Back
Sources told ESPN that the injury is not serious and that Raphinha will be available for the matches against Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid later this month.
The club is being cautious for a reason. Raphinha, 29, missed 25 games for club and country last season because of hamstring problems.
What Barcelona Lose
Raphinha has scored 14 goals in eight appearances this season.
He has done so playing as a centre-forward, a position new to him, after the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres.
Jesus to Step In
His absence gives Gabriel Jesus, signed from Arsenal in the summer, the chance to start his first games for the club. He has scored two goals in four appearances as a substitute.
“This is the idea,” Flick said, when asked whether Jesus would start against Getafe. “His strength is in the box. In these three weeks, he trained good. I like what I saw. He is ready.”
Flick said he was not worried about a drop in intensity. “Against the ball we press very well. This is our standard, our mentality. I think the other players can do it.”
Other Team News
- Goalkeeper Joan García is fit to return
- Frenkie de Jong, yet to play this season, is close to a comeback but will also miss the next two games
A Perfect Start, and a Hard Month
Barcelona have won all eight of their games this season: seven in LaLiga and one in the Champions League.
After Getafe, they play away at Galatasaray, Real Betis and PSG, before the Clásico against Real Madrid at Camp Nou on October 25.
Image: Camp Nou, Barcelona, before its redevelopment (file photo, 2009). Photo by Oh-Barcelona.com via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
