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Raphinha is injured, leaving Barça without one of its key players for the decisive stretch
FC Barcelona loses Raphinha for five weeks due to a muscle injury, in the decisive stretch of the season. The winger was injured while with the Brazil national team and will not return until mid-May, forcing the team to face key matches without one of its most decisive players.
The medical report confirms an injury to the biceps femoris in the right leg, detected after the match between Brazil and France. The player has already returned to Barcelona to begin his recovery, with the aim of returning before the league clash with Real Madrid.
During his absence, the team managed by Hansi Flick will face a demanding schedule. Raphinha will miss the league match against Atlético de Madrid, the Champions League quarter-finals against the same opponent and several league matches against teams such as Espanyol, Celta, Getafe and Osasuna.
His importance to the team's performance is evident. Of Barça's defeats this season, most have come without him on the pitch, reflecting his direct impact on attacking play and the team's ability to win matches.
The absence now obliges the coaching staff to find quick solutions to maintain the competitive level. Options such as rotating the attack or adjusting the system take on greater prominence at a time when every match can define the course of the season.
In a context in which Barça are fighting for important objectives in the League and Champions League, Raphinha's absence is not only a tactical matter, but also one of momentum and confidence. Players like him set the tempo at key moments, and his absence comes just when the team needs stability and decisiveness in attack to remain in contention.