Barcelona are set to satisfy LaLiga leaders Actual Madrid on the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, dealing with vital squad challenges as assistant coach Marcus Sorg confirmed the absence of Brazil ahead. Raphinha. The Catalan membership continues to grapple with an intensive damage checklist as they method one among their most necessary fixtures of the season.
The 28-year-old Raphinha, sidelined with a leg muscle damage, joins a gaggle of unavailable gamers that features Dani Olmo, Robert Lewandowski, Gavi, and each goalkeepers Joan Garcia and Marc-André ter Stegen. Since August, Barcelona have had 10 gamers out via damage, leaving the squad severely depleted for this high-stakes encounter.
Regardless of the setbacks, Sorg expressed hope that key gamers comparable to Ferran Torres, Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, and Frenkie De Jong might be accessible after taking part in coaching. Sorg said, “Any group would miss Raphinha, however the scenario is what it’s. He’s injured,” throughout a press convention. He added, “We’ll see if Ferran (Torres) begins, we’ll resolve tomorrow. Jules Kounde additionally educated this morning and should play. I nonetheless don’t know concerning the beginning eleven.”
Harm issues lengthen to Torres, who left Spain’s camp early with leg muscle fatigue; De Jong, who missed three coaching periods this week as a result of sickness; and Kounde, who was pressured out of the latest 6-1 Champions League win over Olympiacos after a blow to the leg. These ongoing health points have compounded the group’s choice difficulties as they put together to face Actual Madrid, who presently sit two factors away from Barcelona after eight matches.
Including to Barcelona’s problems, head coach Hansi Flick is suspended after receiving a pink card within the 2–1 LaLiga win over Verona for protesting in opposition to refereeing choices. Sorg will lead the group on the touchline and acknowledged the influence of Flick’s absence. “Flick will at all times be missed as a result of he is some of the necessary components of the group,” he mentioned. Sorg continued, “I feel to have Flick on the sidelines, as a result of the gamers belief him, he offers them confidence. His absence does have an affect. However Flick is in a superb temper, constructive, motivated.”
Regardless of these mounting challenges, Sorg stays assured forward of the match, recalling Barcelona’s 4 consecutive wins over Actual Madrid in three competitions final season, together with a 4–0 win on the Bernabeu. and a 5-2 Tremendous Cup ultimate victory. “It is an honor to be on the bench main this group. Will probably be a troublesome match and I hope we are able to present our strengths,” Sorg mentioned, as he prepares to face Actual Madrid’s new supervisor Xabi Alonso. He added, “Actual have made progress from final yr, they press excessive up the pitch, I feel that is modified (from the earlier time period). You by no means know what can occur on the Bernabeu … We now have to manage our feelings and we’re prepared.”
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