Flick confirms matches Raphinha will miss, aims subtle dig at Ancelotti, and praises Yamal and De la Fuente

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick held his pre-match press conference ahead of the league clash against Getafe. The Catalan outfit's head coach provided a comprehensive assessment of his squad following the international break and addressed several key issues surrounding the team.

On Raphinha

"Tests showed a slight issue. It is not a serious injury, but we have to be cautious given that he suffered three setbacks last season. Raphinha will not play tomorrow, nor will he feature against Galatasaray," the German tactician stated.

Flick also addressed his players' demanding international calendar, voicing concerns over long-distance travel. His comments included an indirect critique of Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti, alongside praise for Spain boss Luis de la Fuente.

"The national team is the national team, and everyone's main goal is to represent their country—that is precisely Raphinha's mindset and approach. He always gives 100%. However, we must question whether it was necessary for him to play in Australia and travel all those thousands of miles. It's incredible. They have to select friendlies, whereas in Europe that's impossible due to the Nations League. When I was in charge of Germany, we had the opportunity to travel to Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, but that was because we had two or three friendlies lined up. Now, that's impossible.

It's normal; there is immense pressure on the players. There are no fixtures left to assess alternative options and rest those who have racked up heavy minutes. That's the reality and we have to accept it. The way it is handled isn't ideal, but I must manage the minutes within my squad. That's why I truly appreciate how De la Fuente treats my players—he is flawless. Everything is fine, our relationship is very strong, and I'm delighted to see that. They are the best national team in the world."

On Yamal

"His performances both for Spain and across our first eight matches have been incredible. I watched him live in London against England. He is young, recovers rapidly, and genuinely enjoys playing. His mentality and self-belief are remarkable. With that daily hunger to improve, he is firmly on track to become the best player in the world, if he isn't already." Squad rotation and upcoming challenges

Squad updates

"Joan Garcia is in great form and will most likely start, though Livakovic and Szczesny also remain viable options. Gabriel Jesus is ready to start after impressive displays in training. Frenkie de Jong is no longer feeling pain and is expected to return to the squad for the Betis fixture." Flick further confirmed that, if required, De Jong could also be deployed as a centre-back.

In closing, the Barca boss highlighted the need for absolute focus against a resilient Getafe side before embarking on a grueling run of five decisive fixtures for the Catalans.