Flick explodes: huge anger at how Barça player’s case was handled

Raphinha’s injury is not only a sporting problem for Barcelona, it has also triggered serious internal anger. The Brazilian has been officially diagnosed by Barça with a hamstring injury in his right thigh, after the issue appeared during international duty with Brazil. The club now expect him to miss around five weeks, which rules him out of a crucial stretch of the season.

What has made the situation even worse inside Barça is the feeling that the whole case could have been managed differently. Reports from the last few days say there is strong frustration at the club over the fact that Raphinha was used despite already carrying physical warning signs before the match. One report said he had even been receiving treatment for fatigue before starting for Brazil against France.

Flick is furious after the latest blow

Hansi Flick is said to be one of the most upset figures inside the club. Several reports describe both the coach and Barça as furious with the circumstances that led to the injury, especially because it happened in an international friendly and involved a player with a recent hamstring history.

That is what has pushed the reaction beyond normal disappointment. From Barça’s point of view, the problem is not only the injury itself, but also the travel, the workload, the timing, and the risk attached to using a player whose physical situation already looked delicate.

Barça do not understand the management

Inside the club, the feeling being reported is one of total incomprehension. Barça believe the physical context around Raphinha was already dangerous enough to justify greater caution, especially given his recent muscular issues. That is why the anger has been so strong.

The concern also goes beyond one match. Barça feel they are losing control of key players during international breaks, and Raphinha’s case has reopened that debate in a major way. Reports published over the weekend say the fallout has been serious enough for the club to take extra care with other internationals, including making requests over how Lamine Yamal is managed.

A problem that goes beyond the injury itself

If the issue had only been a minor scare, the internal reaction would probably have been much softer. But with Raphinha now expected to miss about five weeks, the consequences are huge. He is set to miss the Champions League quarter-final ties and other important matches, which makes the frustration inside Barça even greater.

So the picture is now very clear. Barça are worried about the injury, but they are also deeply angry about how the situation was allowed to happen. And inside the club, the feeling is that this case has gone far beyond a normal fitness setback.

Jessica Soriano