Flick explains decision to start returning Barcelona superstar vs Girona – ‘I’ve spoken to him...’

Girona, Spain – Estadi Montilivi is bracing for tonight’s Catalan derby, and the teamsheet that emerged from the Barcelona dressing room carried the one name supporters had been waiting for: Raphinha. The Brazilian winger, sidelined for the last three matches with a hamstring complaint, has been thrust straight back into Hansi Flick’s starting XI, occupying the left flank.

The move caught more than a few observers off guard. Given the 29-year-old’s recent injury history—this was already his second lay-off of the campaign—many anticipated a gradual re-introduction from the bench. Instead, Flick has opted for full throttle.

Speaking to Movistar+ ahead of kick-off, the German coach kept his rationale concise. “It was a decision made to prepare for today’s game. I’ve spoken with him, and he’s fit,” Flick said, offering no further medical detail.

The timing of Raphinha’s return is impossible to divorce from last Thursday’s 4-0 Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg humbling at the hands of Atlético Madrid, a match in which Barça’s high line was ruthlessly exposed. When pressed on whether that result had reshaped his approach to tonight’s encounter, Flick was unmoved.

“One result doesn’t change anything about our philosophy or our confidence in what we do,” he replied, signalling that the tactical blueprint remains intact regardless of the mid-week setback.

With those words, Flick reaffirmed his faith in both his system and his newly fit superstar, setting the stage for Raphinha to answer any lingering questions on the pitch rather than off it.