Barcelona's Rushed Recovery Leads to Raphinha's Injury Relapse

La Liga giants Barcelona have openly admitted that their intensive efforts to accelerate Brazilian winger Raphinha's return to the pitch inadvertently led to a significant setback in his recovery. The club had reportedly pushed hard over the past week, aiming to have the 28-year-old available for the crucial El Clásico clash against Real Madrid scheduled for Sunday.

Despite initial positive signs regarding his recuperation, Raphinha unfortunately suffered a relapse of his injury. He was notably absent from Hansi Flick's training squad on Friday, confirming fears of his renewed unavailability.

The club now expects Raphinha to be sidelined for an extended period, likely until after the upcoming November international break. This news comes as a blow to Barcelona, who were keen to have their attacking prowess at full strength.

Significantly, both Barcelona's medical team and the coaching staff, led by head coach Hansi Flick, have taken responsibility for the player's latest injury. They acknowledge that their eagerness to expedite his comeback played a role in the unfortunate relapse.

The situation highlights the delicate balance between player recovery and the pressures of competitive football, particularly when key matches are on the horizon.

FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick, whose staff admitted their role in Raphinha's setback.