Barcelona has suffered a major setback with a devastating double injury blow ahead of a decisive run of fixtures in both La Liga and the Champions League, Softfootball can report. This will raise another concern for Hansi Flick, who is still trying to overcome the injury shock in the last two days from the absence of Gavi who have just been sidelined for weeks.
The Catalan club has confirmed that Brazilian winger Raphinha and first-choice goalkeeper Joan García will be unavailable for crucial games.
Injured Raphinha (Photo Credit: Barcelona media)
The situation worsened when García, Barcelona’s trusted shot-stopper, picked up an injury in Friday’s training session. Subsequent examinations revealed the need for arthroscopy, sidelining him for four to six weeks.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano on his official X handle, the goalkeeper will be sidelined for three to four weeks.
He wrote:
Joan García will be out for 4-6 weeks to undergo arthroscopy. Barça goalkeeper will miss PSG game.
Fabrizio also added on his official X handle that Raphinha will also miss subsequent Barca games due to injury.
Here is what he said:
Raphinha will be out for three weeks with new injury suffered yesterday. He’s gonna miss Barcelona-PSG game.
Softfootball understands that Raphinha sustained a hamstring injury in his right leg during training, ruling him out for approximately three weeks. Raphinha played during Barca’s 3-1 comeback win over Oviedo last Thursday, where he played for only 65 minutes in the clash.
The duo of Raphinha and Gracia’s absence means bot players will miss the upcoming La Liga clashes against Real Sociedad and Sevilla, as well as the high-stakes Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain.
In his place, Marcus Rashford, who has been in excellent form recently, having registered a brace against Newcastle, is expected to cover the left flank and provide attacking depth for Barcelona.
Hansi Flick will begin his trial times with a game against Real Sociedad next Sunday at the Johan Cruijff Stadium.
