FC Barcelona head into their upcoming La Liga meeting with Girona FC dealing with a combination of positive and negative injury developments, as several key players race against time to be fit.
Raphinha Nears Return
Barcelona have been handed a timely boost with Brazilian winger Raphinha stepping up his recovery.
The forward resumed training with substitute players after recovering from a muscle strain suffered against Elche on January 31. The injury initially ruled him out for a week but required a longer rehabilitation period due to slower-than-expected progress.
He subsequently missed Copa del Rey fixtures against Albacete and Atlético Madrid, along with the La Liga encounter versus Mallorca. However, medical staff are expected to clear him in time for the trip to Montilivi, giving coach Hansi Flick an important attacking option after a difficult run of results.
Rashford a Doubt
New signing Marcus Rashford remains sidelined with a knee problem sustained in last weekend’s match against Mallorca.
The injury affects his left knee, and while it is not considered long-term, his availability for the Girona clash is still uncertain. Barcelona’s medical team are monitoring his recovery closely before making a final call.
Pedri Ruled Out — Return Date Targeted
Midfield star Pedri will miss the Girona fixture as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.
Barcelona are taking a cautious approach with the Spaniard, targeting a return for the February 22 league match against Levante rather than risking him prematurely.
The club’s schedule — including a two-week break following qualification for the Champions League knockout stages — provides valuable recovery time for Pedri and other injured players.
Gavi Also in Reintegration Phase
Young midfielder Gavi is another player being carefully reintegrated into the squad. Coaching staff are using the lighter schedule to rebuild his fitness and manage workloads across the team.
Selection Headache for Flick
With multiple players at different stages of recovery, Flick faces a delicate balancing act. The German coach must decide whether to risk recently returned players or rely on squad depth for the Girona encounter.
Raphinha’s likely return offers a significant attacking lift, but the absences or doubts surrounding Rashford and Pedri mean Barcelona may still enter the match short of full strength.
Outlook
Barcelona’s injury situation appears to be improving gradually rather than immediately. While reinforcements are on the horizon, the Girona clash arrives slightly too soon for some of the club’s most influential figures.
The coming weeks aided by fixture spacing should see a fuller squad available as Barcelona push forward in both domestic and European competitions.
