A double dose of injury relief for Barcelona ahead of the highly anticipated El Clásico! While the news of Raphinha's potential absence has left fans disheartened, there's a silver lining with the return of key players Frenkie de Jong and Jules Kounde.
The timing couldn't be worse for Barcelona, as injuries have piled up just when they need their full strength. Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo, victims of the notorious 'FIFA virus', join long-term absentee Gavi and the injured goalkeeping duo of Joan García and Marc-André ter Stegen, creating a crowded treatment room.
Adding to the woes, manager Hansi Flick will also be absent for the league clash at Santiago Bernabéu, serving a ban after picking up two yellow cards in the Girona match.
But here's the good news: De Jong and Kounde, regular starters, are expected to feature in the Clásico. Their absence from training on Thursday after the Champions League match against Olympiacos had fans worried, but Saturday's session put those concerns to rest.
Kounde, following a gentle solo recovery program to ensure full fitness, has rejoined the group this weekend, as reported by AS. De Jong, back with the team since Friday, is set to partner Pedri in a midfield double pivot.
Fermín López, the hat-trick hero from midweek's European fixture, is likely to complete Flick's central trio, a welcome addition given Raphinha's continued absence.
The Brazilian forward, who was expected to make a much-anticipated comeback in the season's biggest fixture, has suffered a setback. After a month-long hamstring injury, Raphinha's return to training ahead of the Bernabéu trip proved to be a risky move.
Barcelona's medical team has taken full responsibility for Raphinha's relapse, acknowledging they rushed his return. The initial recovery period of three weeks had passed, but the forward wasn't fully healed.
This premature comeback could have serious consequences. According to The Athletic, Raphinha, aged 28, may be sidelined for another month after experiencing discomfort during Thursday's training. This relapse could see him miss three more league games and a Champions League fixture against Club Brugge.
If Raphinha adheres to this new recovery timeline, he could potentially return against Chelsea on November 25th at Stamford Bridge.
So, while Barcelona fans may be disappointed with Raphinha's absence, the return of de Jong and Kounde provides a much-needed boost. Will this be enough to secure a win in the Clásico? And what impact will Raphinha's absence have on the team's performance? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
