Barcelona’s preparations for their upcoming league fixture have been marked by cautious squad management, with Hansi Flick already showing his intent to balance fitness and form during a demanding stretch of the season.
The Catalan giants are just days away from their Champions League opener against Newcastle United, and the focus at the training ground has been on recovery as much as tactical refinement.
Players returning from international duty face the added challenge of travel and fatigue, something Flick is determined not to underestimate.
With Valencia visiting the Olympic Stadium this Sunday, Barcelona’s rotation plans are becoming clearer, and fans can expect notable changes in the forward line.
According to SPORT, Flick is preparing to rest Raphinha after the Brazilian endured exhausting conditions during his international outing in Bolivia.
The winger has faced a long journey back to Spain, and with only three sessions before kick-off – one of which is dedicated solely to recovery – the risk of overload is too great for the coaching staff to ignore.
Flick’s careful handling of Raphinha comes with good reason, as Barcelona are keen to avoid unnecessary injuries with so many high-stakes matches on the horizon.
This opens the door for Marcus Rashford to step into the starting eleven, with the Englishman expected to play a central role against Valencia.
Marcus Rashford has featured in three games so far this season, but opportunities to impose himself have been limited in tight encounters where Barcelona struggled to create space.
Sunday’s clash, however, promises a different dynamic, with Valencia’s defence likely to leave more gaps for the forward to exploit.
His pace, dribbling, and attacking instincts are attributes Flick wants to unleash, particularly as Barcelona look to maintain their unbeaten run in La Liga.
The timing could not be better for Rashford, who has been working tirelessly in training to rediscover his sharpness and is said to be brimming with confidence.
For Barcelona, the move not only injects fresh energy into the front line but also protects Raphinha from burnout, ensuring the squad remains competitive on all fronts.
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