Hansi Flick Gives Raphinha Update Before Barcelona's Game With PSG

Hansi Flick held a press conference this Friday ahead of Barcelona vs. Getafe, the 8th round of La Liga. His team is undefeated, with 7 wins in 7 matches, and hopes to reach 8 before returning to Champions League action against Galatasaray next week.

Barça will then face Real Betis on October 17 before traveling to the Parc des Princes on Tuesday, October 20, to take on Luis Enrique's PSG, the two-time defending European champions.

Eleven days before this PSG vs. Barça clash, the German coach provided an update on his captain and top scorer Raphinha, who suffered a "slight muscle edema in the back of his right thigh" on September 29 while playing for Brazil.

"The MRI showed something. It's not a serious injury, but we need to treat it, because he suffered three injuries in that area last season. He won't be able to play tomorrow, nor in Istanbul, for that matter," said the German coach, who hopes to have Raphinha back for the trip to Seville to face Betis, three days before the clash against PSG.

Meanwhile, Hansi Flick confirmed that he should give Gabriel Jesus a chance up front: "Yes, the idea is for him to start tomorrow. He has improved a lot and adapted to our style and how we want to play. Gabriel has trained very well in recent weeks, and we are very happy with him."

Barcelona's German coach also updated on his Dutch vice-captain, Frenkie de Jong, who injured his knee during the last World Cup and returned to full training on Friday. De Jong will not play against Getafe or Galatasaray, but "the plan is that he might be in the squad against Betis (on October 17th). The news is good; he's not feeling any pain, but we have to wait and see," said the German coach, who confirmed the possibility of using De Jong in central defense upon his return.

Currently without their Danish central defender Andreas Christensen, who suffered a muscle injury to his left quadriceps at the end of September, Barça will, however, be able to count on their defender Eric Garcia this Saturday, who had left the Spanish national team during the break due to discomfort in his left knee, but who trained normally this week (wearing a mask, incidentally, following his broken nose suffered at the beginning of September in an unintentional collision with... Rodri). Finally, Barça also welcomed back goalkeeper Joan Garcia this week, who injured his knee against Racing Santander on September 16. "He's fit and can start," confirmed Hansi Flick this Friday.

Barça also faces a long-term injury to Roony Bardghji. The Swedish winger suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee last August and will be out for several months. He is not included in Barça's A list for the Champions League group stage.