The Injury That Raises Alarms

The night left more questions than answers for Barcelona. Raphinha set off alarm bells after asking to be substituted when he felt a sharp pain in the back of his right thigh. According to AS, initial examinations ruled out a serious injury, but the Brazilian winger will undergo further tests to determine the full extent of the issue.

Even Hansi Flick added some confusion after the match. Speaking to DAZN, he initially said the substitution was a “technical decision,” but later admitted in his press conference that the player came off due to pain in his leg. That uncertainty casts doubt on his immediate availability.

Lamine Returns, Raphinha Sidelined

The timing couldn’t be more delicate with a packed schedule ahead. Barça face Real Sociedad this Sunday, but the big test is set for Wednesday against PSG in the Champions League. At this point, it seems unlikely Flick will risk Raphinha with such a crucial European fixture on the horizon.

The silver lining is that while alarms ring over the Brazilian, Lamine Yamal has fully recovered and returned to training at full strength. His comeback is a boost for Flick, though losing Raphinha so close to such an important match still leaves the coach with a major headache in attack.

An Uncertain Scenario for Barça

The clash with PSG will be a massive challenge, and Raphinha’s absence could force Flick to rethink his offensive setup. The Brazilian winger had been a key figure in recent games, occupying the right flank and providing constant danger. Without him, Barça will rely even more on the brilliance of Lamine Yamal and Marcus Rashford.

Everything now depends on the medical updates, but uncertainty looms large at Can Barça. If the injury is confirmed, Raphinha would miss one of the most important games of the season.