Back in Barcelona following his injury during Brazil v France (1-2) on Thursday, Raphinha has suffered a hamstring strain and will be out of action for five weeks. This sad news has come as a “massive blow” to the Catalan club. Hansi Flick is “furious”.
Cursed international break. Ahead of the final sprint, and crucially the Champions League quarter-finals against Atlético Madrid, FC Barcelona have suffered a major blow with the injury to Raphinha, who was substituted at half-time during Brazil v France (1-2) on Thursday.
The diagnosis came after his return to Catalonia: a hamstring injury to his right leg, and a five-week absence for the 29-year-old forward, who is already ruled out of both matches against the Colchoneros.
A meaningless match, Flick furious
This sad news has come as a “massive blow” to the Catalan club, reports Sport on Saturday. Our colleagues explain that Blaugrana manager Hansi Flick flew into a “fury” upon learning of his key player’s unavailability. The German coach, already reluctant to let his player make such a long journey to the United States, cannot understand why the former Leeds man started the match in a game with nothing at stake.
It’s hard to argue with him, especially as the former Rennes player has already spent two months sidelined at the start of the season, between September and November, due to a muscle injury in the same area. The former Bayern Munich manager will therefore, once again, have to manage without the player who has contributed 19 goals and 8 assists across all competitions since the start of the season. A massive blow, especially as the date of his return remains uncertain.
Raphinha will miss a potential Champions League semi-final
In the best-case scenario, i.e. five weeks, Raphinha will also miss a potential Champions League semi-final, provided his teammates manage to qualify without him. He will also have to sit out the clash against Atlético Madrid in La Liga (4 April) and four other league matches, whilst the title race with Real Madrid is in full swing.
A muscle injury that has come at the worst possible time, due to a match and a trip that were not really necessary. As stipulated by FIFA regulations, the Catalan side will receive financial compensation as the Brazilian striker’s absence will exceed 28 days; he could make his return on 10 May for the Clásico against Real Madrid. A small consolation for Hansi Flick and Barça…
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