Barça look to Raphinha after Atlético rout | OneFootball

A humbling 4-0 defeat at Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg has left Barça needing a swift reset.

According to L'Équipe, Raphinha trained on Sunday morning after a thigh issue and is fit to play a few minutes at Girona on Monday at 21:00. For Hansi Flick, the Brazilian is a leader, his conduit on the pitch and the first defender.

His absence against Diego Simeone’s side proved especially damaging, as in other defeats this season when he was either missing or a substitute. Flick has argued that when he does not play the team’s level and intensity suffer, adding that, in his view, last season Raphinha was the best player in the world.

After last season’s domestic treble, achieved with an ultra-offensive style in league, cup and Supercopa, Barça have kept similar principles, with tweaks that sometimes drop the very high offside line. Thursday nevertheless showed how thin the balance is without Raphinha and Pedri, with midfield intensity lacking and individual defensive errors costly. Flick remains certain that success will return with the team’s work and commitment.

He was calm in front of the media on Thursday, and angrier in the dressing room. Talk of a remontada has surfaced in Catalonia, but the return leg will not come until the first week of March.

Before that, Barça need to beat Girona with authority and reclaim top spot in La Liga. Doing so would grant a rare week without a fixture, ideal time to work while national rivals Real Madrid and Atlético contest Champions League play-offs.

Source: L'Équipe