A look at how Flick has managed without injured Barcelona star this season | OneFootball

Barcelona are back in action after the international break, and all attention now shifts towards a crucial La Liga showdown against Atletico Madrid. 

This fixture marks the beginning of an intense triple-header between the two sides this month, which is certain to be a defining period.

However, the break has not been kind to Barcelona. The biggest setback comes in the form of an injury to Raphinha, who is expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks. 

His absence is a significant blow for Hansi Flick, given how central the Brazilian winger is to the team’s attacking structure.

To put it in perspective, in the 15 matches Raphinha has missed this season due to injury or rest, Barcelona have recorded nine wins, five defeats, and one draw – a return that shows a noticeable drop in consistency without him on the pitch.

How has Flick replaced Raphinha?

With Raphinha unavailable, the big question now revolves around who fills the void on the left flank. 

Several names have been discussed internally, including Fermin Lopez, Dani Olmo, and Ferran Torres, all of whom offer tactical flexibility. Yet, one option clearly stands out based on recent patterns.

That player is Marcus Rashford.

Rashford is Raphinha’s direct replacement. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

The England international has been the preferred replacement in 10 out of the 15 matches the Brazilian has missed. 

Simply put, Flick has trusted the English forward in high-stakes encounters, including El Clasico and the Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain.

That level of trust speaks volumes, as Rashford is not only Flick’s most-used option in terms of numbers but also his most reliable choice in decisive moments. 

Interestingly, Rashford’s versatility has also influenced selection decisions. 

In three of those matches that he did not play, alternative options such as Ferran Torres and Fermin stepped in on the left.

What is clear is that rotation will be inevitable, and Barcelona are expected to experiment depending on the opposition and match context.

Still, if recent trends are anything to go by, Rashford remains the leading candidate to replace Raphinha, particularly in the bigger games.