Raphinha may not be available for Sunday’s almighty Clásico clash with Real Madrid, but Hansi Flick will be able to count upon Frenkie de Jong and Jules Kounde.
The injuries are stacking up for Barcelona at just the wrong time. Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo were struck down by the ‘FIFA virus’ during October’s international break, joining long-term absentee Gavi and the goalkeeping pair of Joan García and Marc-André ter Stegen in an overflowing treatment room.
Even Flick won’t be available for the feverishly billed league meeting at the Santiago Bernabéu after collecting two yellow cards against Girona last weekend.
De Jong and Kounde should be there. The first-team regulars both sat out training on Thursday after featuring in Tuesday’s Champions League stroll against Olympiacos, prompting many to fear the worst. However, those concerns have been allayed by the Saturday’s session.
Kounde has been undergoing a gentle solo recovery schedule to ensure he is fully fit for Sunday’s derby and rejoined the group this weekend, as revealed by . De Jong has been back with the team since Friday, paving the way for his return to a midfield double pivot with Pedri.
Fermín López, the hat-trick hero in Europe this past midweek, will likely complete Flick’s central trio given the distressing revelation about Raphinha’s continued absence.
