Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has voiced his frustration after winger Raphinha sustained a thigh strain, ruling him out of the club’s upcoming Copa del Rey encounter against second-tier side Albacete.
The Brazilian forward picked up the injury during Barcelona’s La Liga victory over Elche on Saturday. Although early medical assessments suggest Raphinha could return within a week, Flick made it clear that the setback has raised concerns about the player’s conditioning and workload management at a crucial stage of the season.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Flick admitted he was unhappy with the situation, stressing the importance of keeping key players fit as Barcelona navigate a packed fixture schedule.
“To be honest, I’m really not happy about this,” Flick said. “Raphinha is a very important player for us. We need to reflect on what needs to change — both on our side and his — and we will discuss that in the coming days.”
The injury is particularly worrying given Raphinha’s recent fitness history. Earlier in the campaign, the winger spent nearly two months on the sidelines due to a hamstring problem. Since returning, he has been a vital component of Flick’s attacking setup, contributing pace, creativity, and pressing intensity from the flanks.
Flick underlined that the current phase of the season leaves little room for absences, especially with Barcelona competing across multiple competitions.
“This is a decisive moment in the season,” he added. “We need every player available. When someone like Raphinha is unavailable, it affects the team.”
Despite the setback, Barcelona remain in formidable form. The Catalan giants are unbeaten in all matches this season that Raphinha has started, highlighting his influence on the team’s performances. His absence against Albacete, however, could test squad depth as Flick looks to rotate while maintaining momentum.
Albacete come into the Copa del Rey clash with confidence, having eliminated Real Madrid in the previous round — a result Flick said did not surprise him.
“This is exactly why cup competitions are special,” he noted. “There are always unexpected outcomes. Teams like Albacete have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”
In additional injury news, Spanish media reports suggest goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, currently on loan at Girona, may face a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury. The German international has featured twice for Girona since joining on loan in January.
“I haven’t spoken to him yet, but I feel very sorry for him,” Flick said. “We need to wait for the medical results to know the full situation.”
As Barcelona continue their strong campaign, Flick will be hoping for quick recoveries and improved injury management to ensure his squad remains competitive on all fronts.
