Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has confirmed that winger Raphinha and defender Ronald Araujo will not be available for the team’s rescheduled LaLiga match against Osasuna on Thursday.
The match was initially postponed on March 8 following the death of a Barcelona club doctor. However, the club’s appeal against playing it this week was unsuccessful.
Flick explained that both players, who participated in South American World Cup qualifiers, need time to recover from their long flights back to Spain.
“They will not play, they are not in the team, they have a long flight and it’s not the best way, because they have to recover,” Flick said in a press conference on Wednesday.
Raphinha featured in Brazil’s 4-1 defeat to Argentina, while Araujo remained on the bench as Uruguay played a goalless draw against Bolivia.
The Barcelona coach expressed frustration over the scheduling, especially with another league match against Leganes set for late on Saturday, April 12—just days before their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Borussia Dortmund on April 15.
“When playing away, always at nine, we arrive late back in the night, it’s to do with recovery for the players,” Flick noted. “I am not happy with this. When you see other leagues with Champions League teams, it’s different to here.”
Despite these challenges, Flick remains confident that his team can secure a victory against Osasuna.
“Always no excuses, we go for it,” he stated. “Tomorrow we will go for it, I think we have big, big quality in this team. We can win against everyone, even if some players are not in the team… we’re looking forward and are very positive.”
Flick also confirmed that defender Iñigo Martínez will start the match despite withdrawing from Spain’s national team squad, while young defender Pau Cubarsí, who picked up a knock while on duty with La Roja, will be fit enough for the bench.
