As Barcelona prepare for a title-defining El Clasico, fresh updates have emerged regarding Raphinha and his role against Real Madrid.
The clash is no ordinary fixture this time, as it could directly decide the La Liga title.
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Following Real Madrid’s recent win over Espanyol, the pressure is on Barcelona to finish the job.
The situation is simple. Hansi Flick and his squad need just two more points to be crowned champions.
Even a draw in the upcoming Clasico would be enough, as it would extend their lead while denying Madrid crucial ground in the title race.
Raphinha’s role
Heading into this high-stakes encounter, Barcelona have received a timely boost with key players returning to fitness.
One of the biggest talking points is Raphinha, who has been working his way back after a frustrating spell on the sidelines.
Raphinha might not start against Real Madrid. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
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The Brazilian winger has endured a difficult season with injuries, most recently picking up a hamstring issue while on international duty with Brazil, which kept him out for nearly a month.
He was medically cleared ahead of the previous league match against Osasuna, but Flick made the call to keep him out of the action despite the narrow 2-1 win.
Notably, the coaching staff clearly had one eye on this upcoming showdown, choosing to preserve the winger for a moment that could define the season.
The current plan, as per Mundo Deportivo, suggests he could be used against Real Madrid, but considering his fitness, however, Raphinha may not be thrown straight into the starting XI just yet.
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This means Flick might opt to use Raphinha as an impact sub rather than a starting player.
That would allow Barcelona to manage his fitness carefully while still benefiting from his impact when the game opens up.
In matches of this magnitude, small details often make the difference and having a player like Raphinha ready to come on could give Barcelona a crucial edge, especially if the game is tight late on.
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