Barcelona’s injury crisis could improve significantly after the international break, with Hansi Flick expecting Pedri, Raphinha and Joan García to be available for the club’s next game.
Flick’s Barcelona overcame a chaotic first half to defeat Celta Vigo 4–2, cutting the gap to Real Madrid atop the La Liga standings to just three points. It’s the first time since September that Barcelona won consecutive league games, as injuries have compromised the quality of Flick’s side.
Nevertheless, following the victory at Balaídos, the German manager sounded optimistic about his three stars making their return when Barcelona host Athletic Club on the other side of the November international break.
“I think Pedri will come back, Rapha [Raphinha] will come back, Joan [García], maybe also, so we will see. We will manage it,” Flick said.
Raphinha and Joan García have both been sidelined since the Sept. 25 win against Real Oviedo. Pedri’s last appearance was in the painful El Clásico defeat on Oct. 26.
Recovering injured players will be crucial for Barcelona’s success, as was evidenced against Celta Vigo. In his first start in over a month, Robert Lewandowski scored a hat trick to guide Barça to victory.
