Barcelona will travel to Celta Vigo on March 17, 2024, without the services of winger Raphinha, who has not yet recovered from his injury. Despite indications that his recovery is progressing well, Diario AS reports that the Brazilian player is “completely ruled out” for the upcoming La Liga fixture.
The decision to exclude Raphinha from the squad comes after a prior setback that occurred before the recent El Clasico, which left Hansi Flick, Barcelona’s manager, frustrated. The club is prioritizing a cautious approach to Raphinha’s return, opting to wait until after the international break to ensure his full fitness.
Return Timeline for Raphinha and Other Players
Barcelona’s next match following the international break is against Athletic Club, scheduled for March 31, 2024. It is anticipated that Raphinha will be ready to make his comeback during this match after spending several weeks sidelined.
In addition to Raphinha, goalkeeper Joan Garcia is also expected to return to action for Barcelona against Athletic Club. As the team grapples with a number of injury issues, it appears that the situation is beginning to improve, albeit gradually.
Despite these potential returns, Pedri, Gavi, and goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen remain unavailable due to their respective injuries. Another concern for the squad is Lamine Yamal, who is dealing with ongoing pubalgia, adding to the team’s challenges.
Barcelona’s management is reportedly hopeful that Lamine Yamal will not be called up by the Spanish national team for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers, which are set to take place shortly. Nevertheless, it is widely expected that national coach Luis de la Fuente will include him in the squad, given his potential and performance level.
As Barcelona prepares for this weekend’s match against Celta Vigo, the team will aim to secure a vital three points while managing the ongoing injury concerns that have plagued them throughout the season. The focus will be on maintaining momentum in La Liga as they look to solidify their position in the standings.
