Raphinha thigh injury leaves Barcelona without forward for next two matches

Barcelona forward Raphinha is set to miss the club’s next two matches after sustaining a right thigh injury while away with Brazil, according to BBC Sport. He was taken off at half-time against Australia and subsequently withdrew from international duty, interrupting a strong start to his season with the Spanish club.

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Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said tests had identified a problem, although he did not describe the injury as serious. He stressed the need to manage Raphinha carefully after the Brazilian suffered three injuries last year. The fixtures he is expected to miss are Saturday’s meeting with Getafe and the subsequent Champions League trip to Galatasaray, the BBC reported.

Flick also defended the player’s desire to represent Brazil, describing his commitment to the national team as consistent with his willingness to give everything on the pitch. At the same time, the coach questioned whether the long journey to Australia had been necessary. He pointed to the difficulty of arranging friendlies in Europe because of the Nations League schedule.

The absence affects a player whose role has changed this season. Raphinha has operated primarily as a false nine rather than in his more familiar wide position. His move into the centre followed the departure of veteran Poland striker Robert Lewandowski, which had raised concerns at the start of the campaign about Barcelona lacking an established number nine.

Those concerns have not prevented Barcelona from taking the lead in La Liga. According to the BBC, they are five points ahead of Atletico Madrid and Real Betis, with Real Madrid another point behind in fourth. Barcelona also opened their Champions League campaign with a 5-1 victory over Feyenoord, adding a convincing European result to their domestic start.

Gabriel Jesus, who arrived from Arsenal on deadline day in September, is considered the likely replacement for the two upcoming matches, rather than a confirmed selection. Flick has other options for the central attacking role: Anthony Gordon, Dani Olmo and Karim Adeyemi could also be used as a false nine. The coach’s stated priority remains caution over Raphinha’s fitness following his previous injury setbacks.