Raphinha and Lamine Yamal are both out of action for FC Barcelona leaving Hansi Flick to make alternative plans.
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In just under a month, an FC Barcelona outfit that looked to be on its way to a treble has been knocked out of the Champions League while also losing its starting wingers to hamstring injuries.
While Raphinha picked up his knock on international duty for Brazil against France - and ultimately missed both legs of the UCL quarterfinal defeat to Atletico Madrid - Lamine Yamal was sidelined for the rest of the season amid winning and converting a penalty in Wednesady’s 1-0 La Liga victory over Celta Vigo at the Spotify Camp Nou.
While the club has confirmed Lamine’s domestic campaign is over, Raphinha should be back for Osasuna but is unlikely to go straight in at El Sadar. This means that there are two fixtures without both players available to start including that trip away at Getafe on Saturday forcing head coach Hansi Flick to have a think about who mans the flanks.
When Raphinha received his bad news, it was a one-horse race for the left wing won by Marcus Rashford.
The Englishman stepped up to the plate with an important equaliser in a 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid in the league, but then came under criticism for missed chances in the first leg of the Champions League against the same opposition which Barca lost 2-0 at home.
In the last two matches - the second leg against Atleti and Celta Vigo - Flick has instead gone for midfielders in Fermin then Gavi respectively.
Barring Rashford getting one last chance to prove he’s worthy of his €30 million loan option being triggered, expect the same until Raphinha is fit enough to start.
Upon Lamine heading down the tunnel on Wednesday, Roony Bardghji replaced him and provided an assist for Ferran Torres strike ruled out by VAR.
He’s likely to get the nod in Getafe, but isn’t fighting for his future akin to Rashford given he already belongs to the Blaugrana.
It’s true he could still go out on loan next term, and the extra minutes earned could give him a chance to showcase his talents and gain much-needed top level experience that has been lacking in Lamine’s shadow.
When Raphinha’s back, remember he started on the right wing at Barca before having to adapt to the other flank amid Lamine’s 16-year-old ascent to superstardom during the Xavi Hernandez era.
If that happens, Rashford will continue to fight with the midfielders for the left berth in Hansi Flick’s FC Barcelona starting line up.
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