Barcelona coach Xavi has confirmed that Brazilian Raphinha and Dutchman Frenkie de Jong will be available for the league match against Real Betis, which will be played this Saturday at the Estadio de La Cartuja. After a joint training session with the group the previous day, both players have completed their recovery phase and are ready to join the squad for the 6:30 p.m. match.
Raphinha, who suffered edema in the back of his right thigh on September 29 during a match with the Brazil team in Australia, had been absent from the games against Getafe and Galatasaray. Yesterday's session, in which the team returned to the court after Wednesday's break and Tuesday's win against Galatasaray at the Ali Sami Yen (1‑4), allowed them to exercise again with the rest of the squad. The striker has completed part of the session and is expected to be called up for the afternoon game.
For his part, Frenkie de Jong, who has remained in the recovery zone since the injury suffered in the World Cup with the Netherlands, has also exercised normally. The Dutch midfielder is in the final phase of his medical discharge and Xavi has expressed his confidence in counting on him for the duel against Betis. The only player who has not yet left the infirmary is center back Christensen, who is also in the recovery process.
With the incorporation of Raphinha and De Jong, Barcelona has two important reinforcements that could reinforce the upcoming trident of matches: Betis, PSG and the Clásico. The team has maintained an impeccable streak, with ten victories in ten possible matches between the League and the Champions League. The presence of both players is perceived as an advantage to face the next series of high-level matches.
Xavi has indicated that, after yesterday's session and this afternoon's session, he will evaluate whether both players will be available for the match against Betis or if only De Jong will be able to join. Even so, the expectation is that both will be on the squad list, which will strengthen the squad before the upcoming challenges.