Flick expects to recover two key Barcelona stars for Athletic Club clash – report | OneFootball

The third international break of the 2025/26 season has arrived, and FC Barcelona go into it having reduced Real Madrid’s lead in the table to three points after a 4-2 win over Celta Vigo, while the Merengues were held to a goalless draw by Rayo Vallecano.

It will be two weeks without football for the Blaugrana, time that will allow Hansi Flick to recover some of his injured players.

Raphinha and Joan Garcia poised for return

Indeed, according to SPORT, Flick expects two of his very crucial stars – Raphinha and Joan Garcia – to recover in time for Barcelona’s next match.

The reigning La Liga champions will take on Athletic Club, possibly at the Spotify Camp Nou, right after the international break on 22 November.

The expectation is that Barcelona’s medical staff will give Garcia and Raphinha the green light to return for that encounter.

Return very close. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

Both players picked up injuries in the game against Real Oviedo in late September, and their absences have hurt the Catalan giants on the pitch.

Raphinha was understood to be close to a return before El Clasico, but a setback in training extended his spell out on the sidelines.

As for Garcia, he has been training on the pitch for a week now, and the expectation is that he will be ready in time to face the Basque club later this month.

If it happens, it will be a major boost for Barcelona as both Raphinha and Garcia are very important players for Barcelona.

Even though the likes of Marcus Rashford and Wojciech Szczesny have stepped up in their absences, having the injured pair back will be a shot in the arm that the Blaugrana need as they hope to overthrow Real Madrid and claim the top spot in the table.