Barcelona captain expected to return to action against PSG

Barcelona captain expected to return to action against PSG The international break brought with it a minor setback for FC Barcelona as their captain and key forward Raphinha returned from the Brazil camp with an injury. The 29-year-old attacker had to be substituted during the Selecao’s second friendly against Australia due to discomfort and flew back to Spain shortly after to undergo tests. Thankfully, examinations revealed no serious injury for the Brazilian international, but Barcelona have opted to play it safe with his return, considering how things panned out last season when he was rushed back. Raphinha to return against PSG As such, SPORT now reports that if everything goes according to plan, Raphinha will be expected to return to action for Barcelona against Paris Saint-Germain. The club captain did some training on Monday before the squad left for Turkiye for tonight’s UEFA Champions League clash against Galatasaray. Raphinha was injured while playing for Brazil. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images) Once they return, Raphinha is expected to be eased back into group sessions, with a gradual increase in his workload and intensity. However, as things stand, it seems unlikely that he will be available to face Real Betis in La Liga later this week, and everything points towards his return taking place against PSG in the Champions League next week. This was hinted towards by Barcelona president Joan Laporta as well, who said in an interview earlier this week: “He got injured, came back and has recovered here. The doctors say he’ll be available for the match in Paris. These are situations we have to accept.” No Raphinha, no problem Raphinha has emerged as Barcelona’s most potent attacker in the ongoing season. Having been moved to a new role as the team’s primary centre-forward, the 29-year-old has thrived, already racking up 14 goals across all competitions. Raphinha to return against PSG. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) However, Barça did not feel his absence in their first game back after the international break against Getafe this past weekend. Raphinha’s compatriot, Gabriel Jesus, stepped in as the centre-forward and marked his maiden start for the Catalans with a goal – his third since arriving in the summer. Anthony Gordon also got off the mark for Barça at the weekend and remains a genuine option to play through the middle in Raphinha’s absence. So, it makes sense for Hansi Flick & co. to not rush things with their captain and ace goalscorer and ease him back, with crucial games coming up ahead. After all, only a few days after facing PSG, Barcelona will welcome arch-rivals Real Madrid to the Spotify Camp Nou for the first El Clasico of the season. And, as things stand, Raphinha will be fit and ready for those big games.