Ahead of an away match in the UEFA Champions League league phase, the official update Barcelona fans had been waiting for has arrived. Before the clash with Slavia Prague, the Catalans provided clear information on squad absences.
According to the club statement, the medical staff deemed Raphinha’s condition satisfactory and cleared him to play. This is a major boost for pace and attacking intensity on the road: with Raphinha on the pitch, Barcelona’s pressure in the final third and the sharpness of wing attacks increase.
However, alongside the good news comes a setback: Ferran Torres will miss this match due to injury. The club reports he may need up to ten days to recover. That means Torres’ absence will give the coaching staff a headache when rotating and choosing attacking options.
Reminder: Slavia vs Barcelona will be played in Czechia on January 21. Kick-off is at 01:00 Tashkent time. In the standings, the hosts sit 33rd, while Barcelona are in 13th place.
In short, it’s a mixed mood for Barça in Prague: Raphinha returns, but Torres won’t be able to help the team on this trip. All eyes are now on the away result and how the team responds on the pitch.
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