Hansi Flick has ruled Raphinha out of Barcelona’s next two matches after the forward suffered a hamstring injury on international duty, with the club taking precautions to avoid a repeat of his problems last season.
The Brazilian will miss Saturday’s La Liga meeting with Getafe and Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Galatasaray. Flick said the injury was not serious but stressed that Barcelona would not rush the 29-year-old back, given his previous record of hamstring problems.
“The scan showed something,” the Barcelona manager said on Friday. “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.”
Raphinha picked up the problem during Brazil’s 4-2 friendly victory over Australia last week. He missed 25 matches for club and country last season because of hamstring injuries, making his recovery a priority as Barcelona enter a demanding period of fixtures.
His absence also creates an opportunity for Gabriel Jesus to make his first starts since joining from Arsenal in the summer. The Brazilian has scored twice in four substitute appearances, and Flick indicated that he would lead the attack against Getafe.
“This is the idea,” Flick said. “He’s improved a lot here, adapted to our style, how we want to play. His strength is in the box. In these three weeks, he trained good. I like what I saw. He is ready.”
Raphinha has been one of Barcelona’s most productive players this season, scoring 14 goals in eight appearances. His move into the centre-forward position has proved successful following the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres.
Barcelona struggled to maintain their intensity when the Brazilian was unavailable last season. Sporting director Deco cited that problem as one reason for the club’s decision to sign Antony Gordon during the summer transfer window.
Flick, however, believes his other players can maintain the team’s pressing game while Raphinha recovers.
“What I saw today in training, I saw a lot of very good things, huge quality,” he said. “Also against the ball we press very well. This is our standard, our mentality, I think the other players can do it.”
Barcelona have won all eight of their matches in all competitions this season, including seven in LaLiga and one in the Champions League. Their perfect record will face a tougher test over the coming weeks, with trips to Galatasaray, Real Betis and Paris Saint-Germain preceding the home Clásico against Real Madrid on 25 October.
Flick confirmed that goalkeeper Joan García was fit to return, while Frenkie de Jong was also nearing a comeback after missing the start of the season. The Dutch midfielder will not feature against Getafe or Galatasaray, but could return to the squad for the visit to Betis next Saturday.
“The evolution is good,” Flick said. “He has no pain; he can do everything, but he needs some time more.”
Despite the approaching fixtures against PSG and Madrid, Flick insisted that his immediate priority was Getafe, who qualified for the Conference League last season.
“Always the next game is the most important, nothing else,” he said. “Getafe is not an easy game. They defend well. We know how they play. It’s never easy. For us, the focus is Getafe.”
