Raphinha is unlikely to feature as Flick weighs his options up front against Getafe

Raphinha missed training with his teammates for a second consecutive day. The Brazilian arrived with edema in his right thigh after his second match with Brazil in Australia. His place in Saturday’s starting line-up against Getafe is now practically ruled out. The medical and coaching staff do not want to take any risks; the captain has also learned from past experience that it is better to wait until he is at 100% before playing again.

Hansi Flick must therefore find an option to lead the line against Getafe on Saturday at 18:30 at Spotify Camp Nou. Gabriel Jesus looks like the most natural choice. He was not called up for Brazil by Carlo Ancelotti and has scored twice in just 41 minutes of playing time with Barça, spread across four matches. He scored against Racing de Santander in a 7-2 win, then against Feyenoord (5-1), spending seven minutes on the pitch in that latter game.

Anthony Gordon is another possibility. Although Flick has mainly used him on the left wing, the Englishman has scored in each of his last four matches for England and is enjoying his best start to a season. The former Newcastle player could therefore be moved into the central role.

Raphinha was LaLiga’s top scorer with 12 goals and had 14 in total in eight matches, including the game against Feyenoord in the Champions League. Dani Olmo is also among Flick’s options as a false nine. The Spain international has yet to score for Barça this season but has provided three assists in eight appearances. Flick could clarify his thinking at his pre-match press conference, scheduled for Friday at 13:00.