"The imaging tests he underwent didn't show a serious injury, but we need to react and be concerned about him because he suffered three injuries last year. We'll take care of him. He won't be available tomorrow, nor for the match in Istanbul against Galatasaray," Hansi Flick said after Barcelona's latest injury check on Raphinha. The message is caution, not alarm. Barcelona will keep him out of the next two fixtures while they work through a run of five games in just two weeks.

Barcelona keep Raphinha on ice

The key point is the scan result. Raphinha does not have a serious injury, but Flick is not taking any chances with a player who has already been heavily used this season. He has 12 league goals in 7 appearances and has played 555 league minutes, which is a big workload for a winger Barcelona have leaned on so early.

Flick also pointed to the broader physical load around the squad, with international duty and travel part of the calculation. That is the right call. Barcelona do not need to force a quick return when the schedule is already tight and the next two matches can be covered without him.

Gabriel Jesus and Joan Garcia get the nod

The absence opens the door for Gabriel Jesus, and Flick made the plan clear: "The idea is that he will be a starter, he has improved a lot. He has adapted very well. His strong point is inside the area. He has trained well. I like what I see of him," he said. Jesus has 2 league goals in 4 appearances, so this is not a blind gamble.

In goal, Joan Garcia looks set to stay in place. Flick said, "Liva (Dominik Livakovic) and Tek (Wojciech Szczesny) are options, but I think Joan is fine and will start." Garcia has made 7 La Liga appearances this season, and Barcelona can keep the rest of the side stable while Raphinha sits out Real Betis and the trip to Paris Saint Germain.

Barcelona's attacking form gives them room to manage this properly. They have scored 34 league goals and conceded 7 in their opening 8 La Liga matches, so the response to one setback is rotation, not panic. Raphinha is expected to miss the next two fixtures, and the immediate test is whether Jesus and Garcia can keep the run going without him.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →