 |
Raphinha suffered an injury during the national team training camp. |
Raphinha suffered an injury during international duty, which left Barcelona visibly frustrated. The problem isn't with the individual, but with how football is currently played out.
According to initial reports, Raphinha will be sidelined for 4 to 5 weeks. This means he will miss approximately 5 La Liga matches and, more importantly, the Champions League quarter-final against Atletico Madrid. This is a major blow for Barcelona as the season enters its crucial stage.
Within the club, the reaction was clear. Barcelona did not blame Raphinha. The player was not accused of overexertion. The team also did not criticize the Brazilian national team's coaching staff, as he was substituted immediately after showing signs of injury.
The frustration was directed at the fixture schedule. Barcelona argued that holding international matches with only two months left in the club season was illogical. Teams with World Cup ambitions might need to play, but not all of them.
Another factor that displeased the club was the match venue. The Brazil vs. France game was held in Boston (USA), while most of the players were playing in Europe. The long journey could negatively impact their physical condition.
Barcelona believes that commercial considerations are being prioritized over player health. If the match were held in Europe, the travel pressure would be significantly reduced.
Prior to his injury, Raphinha was one of the team's best-performing players. He scored 5 goals in his last 3 matches, including a hat-trick against Sevilla and a brace against Newcastle in the Champions League.
Losing Raphinha at a crucial stage has hampered Barcelona's title race. However, the club's reaction suggests the problem isn't just an injury, but also a consequence of the increasingly congested fixture schedule.
Source: https://znews.vn/barca-buc-xuc-vi-chan-thuong-cua-raphinha-post1639080.html
