Flick will take no risks with Barcelona captain after injury scare on international duty

Flick will take no risks with Barcelona captain after injury scare on international duty Raphinha’s injury on national team duty does not come as a major surprise for a plethora of reasons For a player whose minutes have been managed very carefully from the start of the season to be made to play the whole ninety minutes in an international friendly did not make much sense, especially given how Carlo Ancelotti rotated almost every other player in the attack. Further, it is not the first time that the player has been exploited by his national team and returned to Barcelona injured, and it has now become a pattern that Brazil simply fail to learn. Hansi Flick’s caution It is indeed a massive relief for Barcelona that Raphinha’s setback appears minor at first glance. As reported by MARCA , however, Hansi Flick will be extremely careful with the player’s return. Raphinha was injured in Brazil’s game against Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images) Last season, the manager rushed Raphinha’s return after a similar blow and ended up aggravating the player’s injury which kept him out for an additional month. He blames himself for that development and is firmly against such a scenario arising once more. At that time, it was the same muscle that Raphinha had injured, and Flick has learned that it is better to be safe than sorry. After all, there are important games ahead, and rushing the captain back may end up benefiting nobody. When will Raphinha return? Flick will exert extra caution on the captain’s return. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) The Brazilian winger has already been relieved from national team duty and is on a long trip back to Barcelona where he is expected to land soon. Needless to say, the results of the tests will determine everything including whether or not he features against Getafe. The club captain is not ruled out for the game, but will only feature if he is back to feeling 100%. Anything less, and the player will be given more rest to get fit for the next game. Meanwhile, the manager is already evaluating the backup options he can count on and sees both Gabriel Jesus and Hamza Abdelkarim as strong candidates to replace the captain against Getafe in the worst-case scenario. Further, he could also enter with the false nine given that Dani Olmo, Fermin Lopez, Anthony Gordon and Lamine Yamal all offer solutions.