Hansi Flick of Barcelona has confirmed that the likes of winger Raphinha and defender Ronald Araujo will not feature in his team’s reshedule La Liga match against Osasuna on Thursday.
The duo was featured in South American World Cup qualifying fixtures early this week and the manager has comes out to say that it was better for them to recover from the games stress and their journey back to Spain.
Barcelona appealed was unsuccessful against the decision of Laliga to play the Osasuna match this week after it was initially postponed on March 8 due to the death of one of Catalan club’s doctor
Flick while addressing the Press Conference said: “They will not play, they are not in the team, they have a long flight and it’s not the best way, because they have to recover”.
Raphinha was in the line up as Brazil were thrashed 4-1 by arch rivals Argentina, while Ronald Araujo was on the bench for his country Uruguay in a goalless draw against Bolivia.
Flick stated further that he was upset with the scheduled of the game, as well as another league clash against Leganes late on Saturday April 12, with another Champions League quarter-final second leg clash with Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday April 15.
“When playing away, always at nine (2000 GMT), we arrive late back in the night, it’s to do with recovery for the players,” said Flick.
“I am not happy with this. When you see other leagues with Champions League teams, it’s different to here.”
Flick said despite the scheduling of their match against Osasuna, the team will still be capable of claiming three points to extend their lead at the top of La Liga.
“Always no excuses, we go for it,” said Flick.
“Tomorrow we will go for it, I think we have big, big quality in this team.
“We can win against everyone, even if some players are not in the team… we’re looking forward and are very positive.”
Flick said defender Inigo Martinez will start despite dropping out of the Spanish national team squad, while Pau Cubarsi, who was hurt on international duty with La Roja, is fit for the bench
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