Barcelona’s head coach Hansi Flick announced that forward Marcus Rashford will miss the upcoming La Liga match against Athletic Club due to illness. At a press conference on Friday, Flick revealed that Rashford is suffering from a fever, raising concerns for the team’s performance as they strive to close the gap on league leaders Real Madrid.
In a positive development for the squad, Flick confirmed that Raphinha will return to the bench after being sidelined since September with a hamstring injury. Flick expressed enthusiasm about Raphinha’s comeback, noting, “I don’t know if he’ll play 10 or 15 minutes, he’ll start on the bench, but he’s back with us.”
Rashford, 28, has been a key player for Barcelona this season, participating in all 16 matches and starting 13. He has contributed significantly with six goals and nine assists, making him the team’s top performer in terms of direct goal contributions. Recently, he played a role in both of England’s World Cup qualifying matches during the November international break, coming off the bench in a 2-0 victory over Albania.
Raphinha’s absence has been felt since he played against Real Oviedo in September. After a setback during partial training in October, he was unable to return to full action until now. In contrast, Pedri remains unavailable due to a hamstring injury sustained in the 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid during the El Clasico. Flick noted that Pedri is making progress but did not provide a specific timeline for his return, saying, “We’re taking it step by step. We don’t want to put pressure on him.”
In addition to Rashford and Pedri, Lamine Yamal is expected to be fit for Saturday’s fixture after being withdrawn from the Spain squad for the November World Cup qualifiers. Flick mentioned, “I think he’ll be able to play. He’s trained very well these past few weeks,” although he acknowledged that Yamal has experienced ups and downs in his recovery.
Goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who has been out since September with a knee injury, is also cleared to return. When asked if he would start in the match, Flick responded affirmatively, indicating confidence in Garcia’s fitness.
Barcelona enters the match against Athletic Club three points behind Real Madrid in the La Liga standings. The fixture on Saturday will mark the first match at Camp Nou since its renovation, adding an extra layer of significance to the encounter. As the team navigates these player absences, the match will be crucial in their pursuit of the top position in the league.
