Flick confirms Raphinha, Araujo to miss Osasuna clash
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has ruled out winger Raphinha and defender Ronald Araujo for Thursday’s rescheduled La Liga fixture against Osasuna.
Both players were involved in South American World Cup qualifiers this week, and Flick said it was best for them to recover from their long journeys back to Spain.
“They will not play, they are not in the team,” Flick confirmed on Wednesday. “They have a long flight, and it’s not the best way because they have to recover.”
Raphinha started in Brazil’s 4-1 defeat to Argentina, while Araujo was an unused substitute in Uruguay’s goalless draw against Bolivia.
Flick unhappy with fixture congestion
The Barcelona coach expressed frustration with the scheduling of the Osasuna match, which was initially postponed on March 8 due to the death of a club doctor. He also criticized the timing of their upcoming clash with Leganes on April 12, just days before their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Borussia Dortmund.
“When playing away, always at nine (2000 GMT), we arrive late back in the night,” Flick said. “It’s about recovery for the players. I am not happy with this. When you see other leagues with Champions League teams, it’s different to here.”
Confident despite absentees
Despite the tight schedule, Flick remains confident his team can secure all three points.
“Always no excuses, we go for it,” he said. “I think we have big, big quality in this team. We can win against everyone, even if some players are not in the team.”
Defender Iñigo Martínez will start despite withdrawing from Spain’s squad, while Pau Cubarsí, who suffered a knock on international duty, is fit enough for the bench.
(Source: AFP)
