Flick says Raphinha can start for Barcelona against PSG as defensive absences mount
Hansi Flick says Raphinha is available for Tuesday’s Champions League match in Paris, while Barcelona face several defensive absences. French officials say the game will go ahead despite unrest.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick said on Monday, 19 October, that Raphinha could start against Paris Saint-Germain in Tuesday’s Champions League match at the Parc des Princes in Paris. Barcelona also face several defensive absences, while French officials say the fixture will go ahead despite unrest.
Raphinha’s return and Barcelona’s defensive options
Raphinha returned from injury over the weekend. Asked whether the captain and leading scorer could start against PSG, Flick replied, “Yes, he can be a starter,” according to a Barca Universal account that credits Mundo Deportivo as its source. Flick’s answer concerns his availability; it does not establish that he will be selected.
Barcelona will be without Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen, while Gerard Martin’s availability remains uncertain, according to the same account. Flick said Rodri and Frenkie de Jong were among the players who could fill defensive roles. He also said Àlex Campos had joined the group and trained with it for the first time.
“It’s not the best time for us, but we have to accept it,” Flick said of his options. On Kounde, he said the defender would be back soon and might be an option for the weekend, adding that Barcelona would have to wait and see. He did not give a firm return date.
PSG match to proceed amid unrest in France
CBS Sports lists PSG as the host for Barcelona’s Tuesday, 20 October, Matchday 3 fixture. The Hindu reported that French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed the match would go ahead as planned after officials discussed whether to cancel scheduled events amid violent protests and looting. The newspaper said the game would require a substantial security deployment.
The security pressure comes after weeks of student protests, according to The Hindu. It also reported that Paris police detained dozens of people in May after violence disrupted celebrations of PSG’s second Champions League title and a group tried to storm a police station. Those incidents provide context for the preparations surrounding Tuesday’s match.
Flick described PSG as a demanding test of Barcelona’s level. He praised manager Luis Enrique’s side for its pressing, movement and ability to rotate positions, and said he wanted his own players to show confidence, courage and togetherness. Asked to weigh the PSG game against the weekend’s Clásico, Flick’s answer was: “Always the next game, tomorrow’s game.”
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Sources and context
- Flick talks Raphinha, Rodri, De Jong, Kounde, Luis Enrique, Alex Campos ahead of PSG vs BarcelonaBarca Universal (source footer credits Mundo Deportivo for the underlying report)
- UEFA Champions League scores, schedule: Barcelona vs. PSG highlights Matchday 3CBS Sports
- PSG-Barcelona match in Champions League to go ahead amid shock over France’s violent unrestThe Hindu (Rohan Pillay; AP photo credit only, no evidence the article is an AP report)
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.