Raphinha is set to make his return for Barcelona after being named in their squad to face Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final.
Having played in both of Brazil’s recent World Cup qualifiers, the winger has missed the last two games for Barcelona following the resumption of the domestic season.
He sat out Barcelona’s win over neighbours Girona on Sunday owing to “discomfort”. However, after Hansi Flick confirmed on Tuesday that the former Leeds United man was ready to return, Raphinha and Pau Cubarsi both feature in the squad for the clash at the Metropolitano.
Cubarsi suffered an ankle injury on international duty for Spain. The defender was an unused substitute against Osasuna before playing nine minutes off the bench against Girona.
Asked about the teenager in his press conference on Tuesday, Flick said: “The same as Raphinha. We have given him more time so he could recover, I think it was a good decision. He will be able to play tomorrow. He is ready.”
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Barcelona are a step away from clinching the first of two potential Clasico finals with Real Madrid, who progressed to the Copa del Rey showpiece in dramatic fashion on Tuesday.
Leading 1-0 from the first leg against Real Sociedad, Madrid fought back from 3-1 down to level at 3-3 on the night before Mikel Oyarzabal forced extra time with a 93rd-minute header. Five minutes from the end of extra time, Antonio Rudiger made it 4-4 on the night to send Madrid through 5-4 on aggregate.
The tie between Barcelona and Atletico has already had plenty of drama. Barca recovered from falling 2-0 behind in the first six minutes to lead 4-2, only to squander that advantage by conceding in the 84th and 93rd minute.
Flick’s men will likely take great confidence from their recent league meeting with Atletico at the Metropolitano, however. Atletico led 2-0 after a 70th-minute Alexander Sorloth goal, but Robert Lewandowski pulled one back before a double from Ferran Torres and a deflected Lamine Yamal strike gave Barcelona a 4-2 victory.
Barcelona will hope for a more straightforward triumph this time around, and the return of Raphinha gives them a better chance of achieving that ambition.
