Barcelona will make the trip to face Real Sociedad without Raphinha in their squad. The 29-year-old wide attacker sustained a minor problem during the recent success over Racing de Santander, which took place three days earlier, leading the club to adopt a careful approach.
In his press briefing before the encounter, head coach Hansi Flick revealed that the Brazil international’s involvement was uncertain. Medical checks were ongoing, and a conclusion was expected shortly before kickoff. Ultimately, with several key matches approaching, the coaching staff opted against including him in the traveling group.
Club statement clarifies situation
Shortly after the squad announcement, Barcelona published an official health update to explain the winger’s absence. The message underlined that there is no serious injury and that the move is simply to avoid unnecessary risk.
The report specified that Raphinha is dealing with discomfort in his right thigh. As a result, the expectation inside the club is that he should be ready again in time for the midweek Champions League outing against Slavia Prague.
Flick weighs up replacements
Turning attention to the La Liga fixture itself, Barcelona are not short of alternatives on the flanks. Marcus Rashford is viewed as the leading option to fill the gap, although Flick could also turn to Fermin Lopez, Ferran Torres or Roony Bardghji depending on the tactical setup.
Despite the available depth, the absence of Raphinha presents a challenge. Barcelona have often struggled to reach their usual level without him on the pitch, and the visit to La Real represents a demanding test. Still, the objective remains to secure a positive result in San Sebastian before reintegrating the Brazilian for the journey to Prague later in the week.
