Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has criticized the short turnaround following the international break, which has left key players Raphinha and Ronald Araujo unavailable for Thursday’s rescheduled La Liga clash with Osasuna.
Brazil’s Raphinha played a full 90 minutes in his national team’s defeat to Argentina just 42 hours before Barcelona’s game, while Araujo, despite being an unused substitute for Uruguay, has also been ruled out.
The match was initially postponed earlier this month due to the passing of Barcelona’s club doctor Carles Minarro Garcia.
Speaking ahead of the game, Flick highlighted the challenges of a packed schedule, saying, “The flight is long, and it’s not the most optimal situation. The players have to recover and train, and then we’ll see on Sunday.”
Although 11 Barcelona players, including Frenkie de Jong and Robert Lewandowski, returned from international duty, Flick noted they are far from fully recovered.
Despite his concerns, he emphasized Barcelona’s readiness to compete: “We’re not making excuses. The team is ready, and we have to strive for the best performance. We’re going for it.”
Victory against Osasuna would see Barcelona move three points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, with a relentless schedule ahead: seven matches in 19 days across La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League.
Flick acknowledged the immense challenge, adding, “The quality of the team is good, and we can beat anyone, even if the players don’t get the optimal rest.”
