Flick welcomes Raphinha return for Girona test
Hansi Flick will hope Raphinha's return can help Barcelona move back to the LaLiga summit when it travels to Girona on Tuesday.
The Brazilian winger has missed Barca's last three games across all competitions, watching on as Atletico Madrid thrashed them 4-0 in the Copa del Rey semi-finals last time out.
Flick confirmed Raphinha should return from a thigh issue for the Girona trip, though Marcus Rashford remains out with a knee issue as Barca look to move a point clear of Real Madrid with victory.
"Rashford is ruled out, although he is better. Raphinha can play," the Blaugrana boss said at his pre-match press conference.
"He's an important player and we miss him. I see him in training. He always improves and increases the dynamics and intensity and that's good to see. For me, he was the best in the world for me last season."
Pedri is another Barca player still sidelined with a muscle issue sustained last month, while Gavi – who has not played since August – remains a way off returning.
"Pedri will return soon. Gavi may not be back in February, but he will be back the following month," Flick said.
Barcelona swept aside Mallorca 3-0 in its last league outing, but Flick expects another tough task at Estadi Municipal de Montilivi.
"Girona are a well-organised, brave team that gets the ball out well. It's important that we are more intense and that we have more dynamics than in previous games," the German head coach continued.
"Today's training session was very good. I saw confidence, we scored goals. We lost Thursday's game [against Atletico]; it was a lesson, but life goes on.
"We have to accept defeat and we have to focus and be confident. We have a lot of quality and we can beat anyone.
"But if we are not focused, what happened in the first 45 minutes happens. Losing is allowed, getting up is obligatory."
Girona is winless in its last three league outings, having been held to a 1-1 draw away to Sevilla in its most recent clash.
It has slipped down to 14th in the standings, but a victory could lift it two places as it looks to return to winning ways against the title hopeful.
