Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has confirmed the return of Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde from injury, following a month-long absence. However Raphinha’s loss, against what Flick described as ‘one of the best teams in Europe’, has somewhat damaged the return from international break for the Catalan side.
Kounde and Balde will be joined by Eric Garcia, who also recently missed games due to injury. It provides Flick with more defensive options, but Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong is yet to return to training with his teammates.
“The good news is that Kounde, Balde and Eric are back. With Frenkie, he will be able to start training with the team next week. But one step at a time. We have to wait.”
Raphinha given time to ‘clear his mind’
Barcelona’s record is worse without Raphinha this season, and he has been in and out of the squad all season with multiple injuries. He is expected to return to Barcelona on Sunday, after being given time off in Brazil before starting his recovery.
“No teams are to blame. Injuries, and that’s part of football; we have to accept it. It didn’t come at the best time, which hurts us, now we have to see how we manage, we have a lot of players.”
“These things happen, you go to Brazil, normally we are looking for players here [when they are injured]. We were talking on FaceTime and he was very down, and to help him relax and clear his head, we decided together with Deco that he could spend a few relaxing days in Brazil with his family. Sometimes you have to make different decisions.”
Another take on Raphinha – ‘I’m glad Gavi is here’
Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United is the favorite to replace Raphinha on the left side of the attack. Flick was surprised to name Gavi as an option though – he managed to make it eight minutes before the international break.
“I’m happy for Marcus; he’s doing well. He had some physical problems in the last weeks, but now he has his chance. We also have other options like Fermin or Gavi, who are at a very high level. I’m glad he’s recovered to that level in training. We’ll see what we decide, because we have a lot of options.”
🚨 FC Barcelona have offered Andreas Christensen a renewal on significantly reduced terms, cutting his current salary almost in half. While the club is still assessing his attitude, they know the Dane may choose to leave for a better contract elsewhere as a free agent. [@scapde_45] 🇩🇰 pic.twitter.com/IFzfO4YgqL
– barcacentre (@barcacentre) April 3, 2026
‘Let’s talk about the issue’ – Click on Metropolitano
Flick has been a key complement for Diego Simeone’s side in their last three meetings this season, leading to two wins and a loss against Barcelona, but worst of all, a run to the Copa del Rey final for Atletico.
“Yes, it’s a game against one of the best teams in the league and in Europe. So, they have a lot of quality and any player can decide the game. It’s very important that we don’t make as many mistakes as in the last game there. I liked today’s training session and there are two important months ahead.”
Flick on Griezmann: “He’s an amazing player, the way he plays football, it’s so easy. It’s almost like he’s dancing.”pic.twitter.com/RCmEtX71L3
– Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) April 3, 2026
“Griezmann is an amazing player, the way he plays football, it’s so easy. It’s almost like he’s dancing.”
One of the talking points in their defeat at the Metropolitano is the playing field, where many Barcelona players lost their footing in the first leg of their Copa del Rey meeting.
“We have discussed it. I told the players that we must look into this and they may change their studies. They must prepare and practice, it is their job.”
Barcelona sit at the top of La Liga with four points, but Real Madrid can reduce the gap to a point ahead of the game at the Metropolitano. With a treacherous run ahead, and Raphinha out of action, the run is fraught with obstacles for the Catalan giants.
