Barcelona's Raphinha Remains Doubtful for Copa del Rey Semifinal Against Atletico Madrid

Barcelona forward Raphinha remains a major doubt for the Copa del Rey semifinal first leg against Atletico Madrid on Thursday, February 12, after missing the club's last two matches with an adductor muscle strain in his right thigh. The Brazilian winger has been sidelined since suffering the injury during the first half of Barcelona's match against Elche on January 31, when he was substituted at halftime after experiencing muscle discomfort.

The 27-year-old has already missed crucial fixtures against Albacete in the Copa del Rey and Mallorca in La Liga as Barcelona continues to manage his recovery carefully. Speaking to media on Monday, Raphinha provided a cautiously optimistic update on his fitness, stating "I'm feeling better, we're taking it day by day." However, he acknowledged uncertainty about his availability for the Atletico clash, admitting he feels "a bit short on fitness" for the high-stakes semifinal encounter.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has been deliberately vague about Raphinha's chances of featuring against Atletico, telling reporters last week, "We have to wait and see if he'll be in the Cup." The club's medical staff initially estimated a one-week recovery period when the injury was first confirmed in early February, but the cautious approach suggests Barcelona are unwilling to risk aggravating the injury ahead of a crucial stretch of the season. The adductor strain represents a significant blow to Barcelona's attacking options at a critical juncture.

Raphinha has been a key contributor for Barcelona this season, and his absence would force Flick to reorganize his attacking setup for one of the most important matches of the campaign. The Copa del Rey represents one of Barcelona's primary trophy objectives this season, making the semifinal clash with Atletico Madrid a must-win situation. The first leg at the Civitas Metropolitano will be followed by the return fixture at Camp Nou, with the aggregate winner advancing to the final.

Barcelona received more positive injury news elsewhere, with midfielder Gavi showing significant progress in his recovery from a serious knee injury. The young Spanish international posted videos on social media demonstrating ball work in training, suggesting his long-awaited return to action is approaching. However, the uncertainty surrounding Raphinha's availability remains the primary concern as Barcelona prepare for their Copa del Rey semifinal.

The club is expected to make a final decision on Raphinha's involvement in the matchday squad after training sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday. If ruled out, Barcelona will likely turn to Ferran Torres or youngsters from La Masia to fill the void in the attacking third against Diego Simeone's defensively solid Atletico side.