Photo: Wikimedia Commons (free licence), cropped and styled by SportNestra — author and licence
Raphinha is back. The Brazilian forward trained with the group on Thursday and is in a position to play in his team’s next three important fixtures. His return comes ahead of this weekend’s match against Betis, followed by next week’s games against PSG and Real Madrid. It is welcome news for Hansi Flick as he approaches that run of matches with another option available.
The reference to Sevilla 1-3 BarcelonaSportian also recalls a Raphinha goal that made it 1-2. The focus now, however, is on how he will be brought back into the team. He is unlikely to start Saturday’s match against Betis and could come on in the second half. He may then start the matches next week, although that remains an expectation rather than a confirmed decision.
Raphinha’s return is described as fundamental for the team. Frenkie de Jong is also training with the group, but is expected to need a little longer before returning to the team after spending more than three months injured. Flick will have to decide how to reintegrate Raphinha as the team faces three important fixtures.
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