OFFICIAL: Garcia will be out for 4-6 weeks & Raphinha will be out for 3 weeks

Barcelona announced latest medical report as Garcia will be out for 4-6 weeks & Raphinha will be out for 3 weeks

Bad news for Hansi Flick, who has lost two key starters in quick succession. The latest setback is goalkeeper Joan García, injured during the morning: he will undergo surgery tomorrow at the hands of Dr. Joan Carles Monllau, the same specialist who recently operated on Gavi. According to the club, García will be sidelined for four to six weeks.

Just a few hours earlier, medical tests confirmed that Raphinha had sustained a hamstring injury in his right leg, ruling him out for around three weeks.

These are two significant absences ahead of crucial fixtures, with both players certain to miss Sunday’s clash against Real Sociedad, as well as the upcoming matches against PSG and Sevilla.

Still, it isn’t all negative for Flick. On the positive side, he will welcome back Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Balde for Sunday, as both trained at full intensity with the group on Friday.

In García’s absence, Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny will step in, a player who already proved his reliability last season with several standout performances. To cover for Raphinha, Flick is expected to turn to Marcus Rashford, who has been in excellent form in recent matches.