Barcelona forward Raphinha is fit for Saturday's trip to Real Betis, but coach Hansi Flick will manage his minutes ahead of matches against Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. Raphinha, 29, injured his hamstring playing for Brazil during the international break and missed Barça's wins over Getafe and Galatasaray. He returned to training on Thursday ahead of a demanding week that sees Barça face third-placed Betis in Seville, travel to Paris for a Champions League match on Tuesday, and then host Madrid in the first Clásico of the season next weekend.
"When you ask him, he will be ready from the beginning," Flick said Friday when asked if Raphinha would start against Betis. "For me, it's step by step. We have a lot of games, so we have to manage it. The good thing is that he's available." Raphinha had scored 14 goals in eight appearances for Barça playing as a striker before his injury with Brazil. Frenkie de Jong is also set to feature for the first time this season after a knee problem, leaving Barça close to a fully fit squad.
Flick also needs to manage Lamine Yamal's minutes, as the teenager has started all 14 games for club and country this season. With eight goals and nine assists in 10 games for Barça, however, Flick says it is difficult to rest him while he is playing so well. "I know we have to manage his minutes, but for Lamine the most important thing is he enjoys playing football," he said.
Barça's perfect start, with 10 wins from 10 games, will be tested by three difficult fixtures. Betis have won all four of their home league games this season, including against Real Madrid, and have won both of their Champions League matches. Flick insisted his side will not be distracted, saying, "We only focus on the next game."
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing