Barcelona have been handed a double boost ahead of their clash with Real Betis, after Hansi Flick confirmed that Raphinha and Frenkie de Jong are ready to return to match action following the completion of their rehabilitation programs.
The Catalan side travel to face Betis on Saturday in the ninth round of La Liga, as they embark on a demanding schedule that requires Flick to possess as many options as possible and carefully distribute minutes among his squad.
Speaking about Raphinha, Flick said: “He is ready, but we have to take it step by step. We have a lot of matches coming up over the next few days and weeks, so we must act with caution and manage the minutes he will play.”
The Brazilian forward missed the matches against Getafe and Galatasaray after picking up an injury while on international duty, with the coaching staff preferring to afford him sufficient time to recover—especially given that he suffered three distinct injuries last season and was previously affected by rushed returns.
Raphinha’s comeback provides a major attacking lift for Barcelona, having scored 14 goals and provided three assists across his first eight appearances of the season, cementing his place as Flick’s primary option up front alongside his versatility on the wing and leadership in pressing.
The German manager added regarding De Jong: “Frenkie is a top-class player, so I am delighted he is back and available to play. His presence gives us an extra option.”
The Dutch midfielder has yet to feature this season due to a medial collateral ligament tear in his right knee, sustained during the World Cup where he played through pain against Morocco. He ultimately opted for conservative treatment over surgery, spending nearly three months on the sidelines.
The duo’s return comes with Barcelona boasting ten wins from their opening ten matches across all competitions, averaging 4.3 goals per game. Their availability gives Flick greater scope to manage workloads ahead of upcoming high-profile fixtures, with both Raphinha and De Jong expected to see limited minutes initially to prevent any potential setbacks.
