FC Barcelona faces a critical blow as a key forward is ruled out for their UEFA Champions League clash against Olympiacos.
With El Clasico looming on October 26, the Blaugrana are prioritizing player recovery to ensure peak performance against Real Madrid.
The absence of a vital attacker, combined with Hansi Flick’s own suspension following a red card against Girona, forces Barcelona to rely on youth and tactical adaptability in a pivotal European fixture.
According to journalist Helena Condis, via FCB World, Raphinha will miss the Olympiacos clash due to a lingering muscle injury.
The Brazilian winger, sidelined for nearly four weeks, has been training individually at Ciutat Esportiva, focusing on acceleration, direction changes, and striking technique.
While his recovery progress is encouraging, Barcelona’s medical team is taking no risks, prioritizing his return for El Clasico.
Raphinha’s sharpness in sessions offers hope, but he lacks match rhythm, with Tuesday and Wednesday critical for assessing his readiness.
Barcelona’s attack, already stretched without Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo, will lean on Lamine Yamal, Marcus Rashford, and La Masia talents like Pedro Fernandez Dro.
Ferran Torres, also recovering, might feature minimally, but Raphinha’s absence—having contributed six goals and four assists this season—weakens their wing play.
Flick’s staff, wary of a relapse amid a packed schedule, are cautiously optimistic about his El Clasico availability if progress continues.
The Olympiacos game tests Barcelona’s depth, with Pau Cubarsí and Eric Garcia anchoring a defense that struggled against Girona’s counters.
Flick’s assistant, Marcus Sorg, will lead from the sidelines, adding complexity. Raphinha’s tailored recovery underscores Barcelona’s long-term strategy, especially after their €380m Spotify deal eased financial pressures.
As they chase Champions League progress, ensuring Raphinha’s full fitness for Real Madrid is paramount, but the immediate challenge is maintaining momentum in Europe with a depleted squad.
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