Barcelona will be without one of their most influential players this Tuesday as they travel to face Albacete in a high-stakes Copa del Rey quarter-final. The club confirmed that Brazilian winger Raphinha has been sidelined with a muscle injury, leaving Hansi Flick to reshuffle his attack.
The 29-year-old forward is suffering from muscle overload in his right adductor. While the injury is not considered long-term, the medical staff has advised caution, meaning Raphinha will not feature in the single-leg tie at the Carlos Belmonte stadium.
A Costly Absence
Raphinha has been in scintillating form this season, tallying 13 goals and five assists in 22 appearances. His absence is expected to last approximately one week, which also rules him out of Saturday’s La Liga clash against Mallorca at the Camp Nou.
Hansi Flick expressed his frustration during the pre-match press conference:
“To be honest, I’m not happy about this. He is a vital player for us,” Flick admitted. “We are entering the most critical part of the season, and we need everyone fit. We will have to look at our preparation to prevent these types of overloads.”
Comunicado médico ❗
𝐑𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐡𝐚, presenta una sobrecarga en el aductor de la pierna derecha.
Será baja por precaución para el partido contra el Albacete y el período de recuperación será de una semana. pic.twitter.com/Rx7ant4g4F
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) February 2, 2026
Beware of the “Giant-Killers”
Despite Albacete sitting 12th in the Segunda División, Barcelona is taking nothing for granted. The hosts earned their “giant-killer” status by stunning Real Madrid in the previous round, a result that has put the Catalan giants on high alert.
“We have analyzed Albacete thoroughly. What they did against Real Madrid was impressive,” Flick warned. “It’s all about our mentality and how we start the game. We will have to make adjustments, but our goal remains the same.”
Predicted Barcelona Lineup Adjustments
With Raphinha out, eyes turn to Ansu Fati or Ferran Torres to fill the void on the wing. Flick is expected to rotate some squad members but will likely maintain a strong core to avoid another Copa del Rey upset.
Siara Costa is a football editor and writer covering both European men’s and women’s football, with a focus on league competitions, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling.
