Rashford ruled out for Barcelona's trip to Girona
Marcus Rashford will miss Barcelona's Monday clash with Girona as knee issues persist, while Raphinha returns to the squad after completing training.
Barcelona will face Girona without Marcus Rashford, as the forward’s knee troubles continue to sideline him.
Knee niggles keep Rashford out
The English forward was absent from Sunday’s training session, confirming he won’t be available for Monday’s crucial fixture at Montilivi. Rashford picked up the injury during last weekend’s La Liga match against Mallorca, and while it initially didn’t seem serious (no official medical report was released), the knock has proven more troublesome than first thought.
These knee complaints kept him out of Barça’s squad for the Atlético Madrid clash, and now they’ve scuppered his chances of featuring against Girona too. What looked like a minor knock has turned into a proper pain in the Khyber Pass for both player and club.
Raphinha boost for Flick
It’s not all doom and gloom for Barcelona, though. Brazilian winger Raphinha is back in contention after completing three full training sessions with the squad. He’s fit enough to feature on Monday night, giving Hansi Flick a welcome selection headache.
However, don’t expect the Brazilian to start straight away. Knowing Flick’s cautious approach with returning players, the gaffer will likely keep Raphinha in reserve for the second half. The German tactician has shown a consistent pattern with reintegrating players after injury layoffs, preferring to ease them back rather than risking further setbacks.
What this means for Barcelona
The absence of Rashford removes one attacking option for a Barcelona side looking to maintain pressure at the top of La Liga. The Monday night fixture at Montilivi represents another stern test for Flick’s men, with Girona proving themselves worthy opponents this season.
With the attacking rotation options slightly limited, we might see Flick turn to La Masia products to fill the void, continuing his willingness to trust younger talent when senior players are unavailable.