Just two days before El Clásico between Real Madrid and Barcelona, tension fills the air in the Catalan capital. The Blaugrana are in full preparation for the biggest match of their season so far, but uncertainty surrounding Raphinha’s fitness has Hansi Flick and the Barça faithful on edge.

Raphinha, a Last-Minute Question Mark

The Brazilian winger, who suffered a hamstring injury on September 25, had rejoined team training earlier this week, sparking optimism ahead of Sunday’s clash. However, Raphinha did not take part in Friday’s session, raising fears he may not recover in time for the showdown at the Santiago Bernabéu.

The player has been working intensely on his recovery with this match in mind, but his absence from the final training session suggests further medical caution. The club remains hopeful he hasn’t suffered a setback, though his availability will depend on how he responds over the next few hours.

Meanwhile, Jules Koundé also skipped Friday’s session due to a knock, but his chances of featuring against Real Madrid are not ruled out. The French defender will be evaluated until the last minute to determine whether he can start.

Good News for Flick: De Jong and Christensen Return

Not everything is cause for concern at Can Barça. Frenkie de Jong and Andreas Christensen returned to training after recovering from a stomach illness. Both players worked normally with the rest of the group and are expected to be available for the Bernabéu clash.

In addition, the coaching staff reinforced the session with several Barça Atlètic players, including Diego Kochen, Jofre Torrents, and Toni Fernández, in a practice focused on tactics and mental readiness.

Meanwhile, the club continues to await the decision from the Administrative Sports Tribunal (TAD), which must rule on whether to overturn Hansi Flick’s one-match suspension following his red card against Girona. If the verdict doesn’t arrive in time, the German coach will watch his first Clásico from the stands, leaving assistant Marcus Sorg in charge on the touchline.

A High-Voltage Clásico

This Sunday’s matchup is not only a clash between Spain’s two biggest clubs but also between two coaches with Bundesliga pasts: Xabi Alonso and Hansi Flick. Both won the German league—one with Bayern Munich, the other with Bayer Leverkusen—and now meet on opposing benches in Spanish football.

The record favors the Barça coach: Flick has won all four of his previous meetings against Real Madrid and aims to extend that streak to five, matching Pep Guardiola’s record with Barcelona. Yet much will depend on whether Raphinha can recover in time to join a side that, despite its fitness concerns, dreams of seizing the league lead at the Bernabéu.