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Flick confirms Raphinha’s return for Barcelona
Flick confirms Raphinha’s return for Barcelona

Hansi Flick confirmed Raphinha is available for selection when Barcelona take on Real Betis in LaLiga on Saturday.

Raphinha missed Barca's 3-0 league win over Getafe and 4-1 Champions League victory over Galatasaray after picking up an injury during the international break.

The 29-year-old scored 12 goals in Barca's first seven LaLiga games this season; only one player has scored more goals after his club's first seven games of a campaign in the competition in the 21st century: Cristiano Ronaldo for Real Madrid in 2014-15 (13).

Raphinha's imperious form was highlighted by his perfect hat-trick against Sevilla before the extended international break, during which he both scored and assisted for Brazil across two games against Australia.

While Raphinha is ready to make his return, Flick insisted the club will be cautious with the forward.

"If you ask him, he'll tell you he's ready to start, but I have to take it step by step," Flick said about Raphinha.

"He trained well with the group, but we have to manage him. The good news is that he'll be available, and so will [Frenkie] De Jong."

Lamine Yamal took more responsibility during Raphinha's absence, assisting three of Barca's seven goals across their last two games.

Flick explained he will have to manage Yamal's minutes, with the teenager starting in each of their 10 games this season and featuring four times for Spain during the break.

"It's not an easy question to answer. We have to manage his playing time," Flick added on Yamal.

"But the most important thing is that he enjoys playing football, and that's what he's doing."

Upcoming opponents Betis are third in LaLiga after eight games, level on points with second-place Atletico Madrid (19).

Manuel Pellegrini's side also enjoyed some success in Europe during the week, defeating Porto 3-2 in the Europa League.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Real Betis – Isco

Isco has scored three goals in his four LaLiga games for Betis against Barcelona; he has not scored more goals for the Verdiblancos against any other opponent in the competition (also three against Getafe and Osasuna).

Barcelona – Lamine Yamal

Yamal has been involved in 12 goals in eight LaLiga games in the 2026-27 season (seven goals and five assists), the most by a Spanish player after his team's first eight matches of a campaign in the competition in the 21st century.

MATCH PREDICTION: BARCELONA WIN

Barca have won their first eight LaLiga games of a season for the second time in their history, after previously doing so in 2013-14 under Gerardo Martino. Only one team has managed to win their first nine in the competition's history: Real Madrid in 1968-69.

Betis have not won any of their last 15 home games against Barca in LaLiga (D4 L11), their worst winless run at home against a single opponent in their entire top-flight history.

Barca have also scored in each of their last 20 away games against Betis in LaLiga (52 goals in total), their best scoring run away from home against an opponent in their entire history in the competition.

However, Betis have earned 19 points from their first eight LaLiga games in 2026-27 (W6 D1 L1), equalling their best record at this stage of a campaign in the competition (assuming three points for a win), achieved in 1934-35 (W6 D1 L1), when they were champions.

And this could be a high-scoring contest; Barca (six) and Betis (four) are two of the three teams that have reached 20+ shots in the most different LaLiga games this season, alongside Madrid (five).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Real Betis – 17.8%

Draw – 18.7%

Barcelona – 63.5%

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