Raphinha will miss Barcelona's next two games, against Getafe and Galatasaray, with Hansi Flick adopting a cautious approach to the thigh injury he suffered on Brazil duty.
Raphinha to miss Barcelona's next two games as Flick adopts cautious approach
Barcelona will look to maintain their winning start to the LaLiga season against Getafe this weekend, but they will be without Raphinha.
Raphinha withdrew from the Selecao's squad during the international break, having been substituted at half-time in a 4-2 win over Australia.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said the winger had sustained "a small muscle edema in the posterior region of the right thigh", which represented a potential blow to Barca after he scored a remarkable 14 goals in their opening eight matches of 2026-27, across all competitions.
The Blaugrana, who have won their first seven games to set the pace at the top of LaLiga, welcome Getafe to Camp Nou on Saturday before travelling to Istanbul for their second Champions League game of 2026-27, and they will let their captain sit out those matches as he recovers.
"It is not a major injury, but it is something that must be taken into account because he had many injuries," Flick said of Raphinha.
"We have to take care of him. He will not be available [against Getafe] or against Galatasaray."
Flick was then asked if he had any complaints about the way Brazil managed Raphinha's fitness, but he said it was not worth worrying about factors Barca cannot control.
"It's the national team, and everyone wants to play for their national team. It's their mentality, and we can't change the calendar," he said.
"He always gives 100%. You question whether it was necessary to play in Australia, 30,000 kilometres away... but then you would have to choose friendlies in Europe, and with the Nations League, it is not possible.
"There is a lot of pressure on the players. You have to accept the situation as it is; it's not the best, it's not ideal, but I can't change it. I have to manage the load of minutes.
"I like it when I see the Spanish national team in performance, the distribution of minutes... The relationship is very good. Spain is the best team in the world; I like to see them play."
On Thursday, Barca handed teenage left-back Xavi Espart a new contract to run until 2030, and Flick was delighted to see another graduate of La Masia rewarded.
"For each position we have many players. Everyone must be at the best level, or we will make substitutions. They know it. I like this situation," the Barca boss added.
"It's fantastic to have this kind of player coming from La Masia. It's incredible."
Getafe are 11th in the table going into Saturday's game with eight points on the board, having beaten Malaga 1-0 in their final match before the international break.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Barcelona – Lamine Yamal
With Raphinha absent, it will be up to Yamal to provide the attacking spark for the hosts.
He has tallied a remarkable 14 goal involvements in eight appearances across all competitions this season (eight goals, six assists), while he also scored four goals in four outings for Spain during the international break.
Getafe – Djene Dakonam
Djene Dakonam, who has made the most appearances for Getafe in the top flight (311), could be the first player to reach 100 wins for the club in the competition's history (99).
MATCH PREDICTION: BARCELONA WIN
Barcelona are unbeaten in their 21 home games against Getafe in LaLiga (W17 D4). Only against Elche (25 games – W18 D7) have they played more home matches without suffering a single defeat in the competition's history.
The Blaugrana have also won their opening seven LaLiga games in the 2026-27 season and can equal their best ever start in the competition, achieved under Gerardo Martino in 2013-14, when they won their first eight matches of the campaign.
Flick's side have scored 31 goals in LaLiga 2026-27, the second-best goalscoring start by a team after their first seven games of a season in the competition's history, after Sevilla in 1940-41 (40).
Getafe, meanwhile, have lost their last eight away LaLiga games against Barcelona, failing to score in the last four. This is their worst run of consecutive defeats at the Blaugrana in the top-flight.
They have also lost all three of their away games in LaLiga 2026-27, failing to score in any of them. This is the first time they have lost their opening three away matches of a season in the competition and failed to score in any of them.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Barcelona – 82.5%
Draw – 10.7%
Getafe – 6.8%
