Assistant coach Marcus Sorg will be in the dugout after Flick suspension
Barcelona will face Real Madrid on Sunday without winger Raphinha, after assistant coach Marcus Sorg confirmed the player’s absence on Saturday.
Raphinha has not recovered from a leg muscle problem that has kept him out for over a month. The Brazilian is only one among a list of absentees that already includes Robert Lewandowski, Gavi, Dani Olmo and Joan Garcia.
“Any team would miss Raphinha, but the situation is what it is – he is injured,” said Sorg.
“We’ll see if Ferran [Torres] starts. We’ll decide tomorrow. Jules Kounde also trained this morning and may play. I still have no idea about the starting eleven.”
Sorg will lead the team from the touchline in place of manager Hansi Flick, who is suspended following his red card in the 2-1 win over Girona last weekend. The German was dismissed for protesting refereeing decisions late in the match, and Barcelona’s appeals against the ban were rejected.
Sorg said: “It’s an honour to be on the bench leading this team. It will be a tough match and I hope we can show our strengths.
“Flick will be missed of course because he’s one of the most important parts of the team. I think to have Flick on the sidelines, because the players trust him, he gives them confidence. His absence does have an influence.”
