Raphinha and Joan García doubtful for Barcelona vs Getafe as Flick remains cautious

Barcelona resume LaLiga action on Saturday against Getafe, but the big question is whether Hansi Flick will be able to field two of his most regular starters. Raphinha and Joan García are dealing with physical problems picked up around the international break and have yet to rejoin group training, which continues to cast doubt over their involvement in matchday eight.

Both players worked away from their teammates again in the latest session as the coaching staff kept a cautious approach. The priority is clear: avoid any setback that could rule them out just as a demanding run of LaLiga and European fixtures begins.

• Joan García has not trained with the group since suffering a right knee edema before the Sevilla match.
• Raphinha left Brazil's camp early after feeling discomfort in his right thigh.
• Hansi Flick is considering resting both players, at least from the start, against Getafe.
• Barcelona are entering a run of eight matches before the November break.

Joan García's knee issue and his uncertain return for Barcelona

The goalkeeper already missed the league match against Sevilla on 19 September because of a mild edema in his right knee. Medical checks ruled out any meniscus damage, but since then his work has been limited to physiotherapy and individual exercises.

That lack of group training is the main reason his starting spot against Getafe is not guaranteed. With four days to go until kick-off, the coaching staff will monitor his progress day by day, but no one wants to risk a goalkeeper who needs his knee fully recovered.

Raphinha's injury history and why Barcelona are being careful

Raphinha felt an edema in his right thigh during Brazil's second friendly in Australia on 29 September. The issue forced him to return to Barcelona early, keeping him out of the national team's final match of the window.

Tests showed no serious muscle injury, but the Brazilian has still not trained with the group. The affected area has caused him problems before, with two previous injuries in the same thigh, and he also leads the team's scoring charts with 12 goals this season. Both factors explain why Flick is unwilling to push him.

Why the Getafe match could shape Barcelona's rotation plan

The October stretch brings a series of high-level matches, so every lineup decision is made with the full calendar in mind. After Getafe come Galatasaray, Betis, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Alavés, Aston Villa and Atlético de Madrid, a sequence in which losing a starter to a relapse would be costly.

The home match against Getafe, on the first weekend back from the international break, is viewed as one of the more manageable games in that block. That is why the coaching staff is weighing whether to hand preventive rest to Raphinha and Joan García, keeping them out of the starting eleven or at least out of the initial lineup.

Flick's options if Raphinha and Joan García are rested

If the first-choice goalkeeper is unable to start, Barcelona will turn to the alternative already used during Joan García's earlier absence this season. The defense would remain unchanged, with a reliable replacement stepping in between the posts.

Should Raphinha be held back, the attack has enough depth to cover his role. Barcelona's forward line offers multiple alternatives capable of playing wide or supporting the central striker, giving Flick flexibility without losing attacking threat.

Barcelona's schedule before the November international break

The workload management does not stop with the Getafe match. The medical and coaching staff are planning Raphinha's and Joan García's returns while keeping an eye on the seven fixtures that complete this demanding block.

• Getafe (LaLiga, home)
• Galatasaray (Champions League)
• Betis (LaLiga)
• Paris Saint-Germain (Champions League)
• Real Madrid (LaLiga)
• Alavés (LaLiga)
• Aston Villa (Champions League)
• Atlético de Madrid (LaLiga)