FC Barcelona have announced that their Brazilian international star Rafinha will be sidelined for a week due to a groin strain, ruling him out of the upcoming Copa del Rey quarter-final against Albacete. This news adds to the challenges facing the Catalan club at a crucial stage of the season.
In a brief official statement, the club explained that medical tests revealed a strain in the adductor muscle of the right leg. The statement added: "As a precaution, the player will be unavailable for the Albacete match, and his recovery is expected to take a week." This pain had previously forced Rafinha to leave the field during the second half of the team's last league match against Elche, which Barcelona won 3-1.
The context of the injury and the coaching staff's concerns
This injury comes at a worrying time for the player and the coaching staff, led by German manager Hansi Flick. Frafinha had already been sidelined for nearly two months earlier in the season with a hamstring injury, suffering two setbacks during his recovery. This injury history explains the club's precautionary measures and their fear that the problem could worsen and lead to a longer absence.
Coach Hansi Flick made no secret of his frustration with the player's recurring injuries, stating in his press conference: "To be honest, I'm not happy about this at all, because he's a very important player for us." He added sharply: "We have to see what we need to change, and what he needs to change. We'll talk about it in the coming days because it's important. This is a crucial stage of the season, and we need every player. When someone is out, it's not good.".
Expected impact and importance of the King's Cup
Rafinha's absence is a blow to Flick's plans, especially considering that statistics show Barcelona haven't lost a single match this season when the Brazilian winger has started, reflecting his significant impact on the team's attacking system. The Copa del Rey holds particular importance for Barcelona this season, representing a realistic opportunity to secure a major title amidst the fierce competition in La Liga and the Champions League.
Internationally, Rafinha's recurring injuries could affect his place in the Brazilian national team, where he is a key attacking player. Consistent participation and maintaining fitness are crucial factors in securing a spot in the Seleção's squad for upcoming matches.
Meanwhile, the team's training session brought good news with the return of French international defender Jules Koundé to the squad, after he too left the Elche match due to muscle cramps. In a related matter, Flick addressed Albacete's surprising elimination of Real Madrid in the previous round, emphasizing his respect for the opponent by saying: "That's why we love cup matches, because they sometimes produce unexpected results. They have nothing to lose; all they have to do is win.".
