With the international break over and Barcelona’s stars returning to training, German coach Hansi Flick has begun intense preparations for the upcoming La Liga clash against Girona, amid encouraging news about the recovery of several key players.
The most notable returnee is Brazilian winger Raphinha, who has now been included in the coaching staff’s plans for the Girona match after showing significant physical improvement. Although his playing time is expected to be limited to just a few minutes, hidden details are complicating the situation within the Catalan team.
Related topics
Following medical recommendations, Flick is considering gradually easing Raphinha back into action by giving him only 15 to 20 minutes, aiming to reintegrate him smoothly and avoid another setback. However, what appears to be a standard medical decision on the surface actually conceals an unspoken desire from the player himself.
Sources close to the situation have revealed that Raphinha is extremely uncomfortable with the idea of a slow return. He believes time is not on his side, especially with El Clásico fast approaching, and fears losing his spot in the starting lineup. The player understands that limited appearances against Girona and Olympiacos may not be enough to convince Flick to start him against Real Madrid. This has led him to request more playing time from both the medical and coaching staff—ideally at least 45 minutes—to fully demonstrate his fitness.
However, Raphinha’s return is not going smoothly in the dressing room.
Expectations suggest that his inclusion in the starting XI could directly affect Marcus Rashford’s position, who has felt untouchable since the beginning of the season. Such a change could create internal tension, particularly as Rashford relies heavily on confidence to perform at his best. That confidence might be shaken if he finds himself on the bench due to the Brazilian winger’s return.
Ironically, Flick views Raphinha as one of the players most capable of executing his philosophy of collective pressing and intensity on the pitch. This is in contrast to Rashford, who has clearly struggled with defensive responsibilities and ball recovery. As a result, the coach faces a delicate dilemma: should he bring Raphinha back aggressively and risk upsetting Rashford, or should he maintain the current balance and miss out on the contributions of a highly skilled player in one of the most critical stretches of the season?
Raphinha’s return seems to be more than just a matter of time. Rather, it is shaping up to be a decision that could trigger a looming tactical and psychological crisis within the Barcelona squad.
