Raphinha concern opens Barcelona door for Gabriel Jesus and Hamza Abdelkarim

Raphinha’s return from the international break with a minor muscle oedema in the back of his right thigh could lead Barcelona manager Hansi Flick to rest the Brazil forward against Getafe in La Liga.

Medical tests have ruled out a serious injury, but the issue comes at a demanding stage of Barcelona’s season. The club face two crucial Champions League matches against Galatasaray and Paris Saint-Germain, as well as the clasico against Real Madrid on 25th of this month.

Managing the workload of his squad is therefore a priority for Flick and his coaching staff, with Raphinha’s possible absence providing an opportunity for other attacking players to feature.

Raphinha has been a key part of Barcelona’s team this season, starting every match played by the club. However, the prospect of him being rested against Getafe could give Gabriel Jesus the chance to make his first start in the circumstances.

Gabriel Jesus joined Barcelona during the summer from Manchester City and has adapted quickly to his new club. He was not included in the Brazil squad for the latest international break, allowing him to remain in Barcelona and work on improving his fitness.

The Brazilian has already made an impact in his previous appearances, scoring two second-half goals after coming on as a substitute. With Raphinha potentially unavailable, that record places him among the leading candidates to start against Getafe.

Abdelkarim also in contention

Hamza Abdelkarim is another option for Flick as he considers how to strengthen the attack. The young Egypt forward is seeking a larger role with the first team after being limited to only a few minutes of action so far.

He returns to Barcelona in confident mood after scoring his first goal for the Egypt senior national team during the latest international break. His contract renewal and continued place in the first-team plans could also improve his chances of being given further playing time.

Gabriel Jesus appears to be ahead of Abdelkarim in Flick’s thinking, but the circumstances surrounding the Getafe match may create an opening for the Egyptian. He is a recognised centre-forward with a strong presence in the penalty area and the ability to finish attacks.

Those qualities make Abdelkarim one of the alternatives Barcelona could consider if Raphinha is rested. The final decision will form part of Flick’s wider effort to protect his players before a demanding run of fixtures that includes Galatasaray, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.