Barcelona returns to Madrid on Wednesday to play Atletico Madrid for the third time in the space of just five weeks, while they are looking for the Copa del Rey final. The first stage was signed 4-4 in Montjuic, in what many people thought was the game of the season, with both parties who exchanged succeeding.
Hansi Flick will prepare for the game without Dani Olmo, who was injured against Osasuna last week, but will get one of their most important players back against Atletico. Star attacker Raphinha, who led the line for the Blaugrana this season in many ways, spent their 3-0 win over Osasuna last Thursday because of his late arrival from international service with Brazil. Most, however, expected that he would return to Girona, at least from the bank, but the vice captain stayed on the couch.
The German coach explained after the game that the Brazilian was still 'discomfort' '', and that is why he had decided not to use him against their Catalan neighbors, who eventually finished in a 4-1 win. However, Sport says that the Blaugrana will have him back against Atletico. They say that he suffers from 'extreme fatigue', after a long journey to and from Latin -America, and two demanding matches against Colombia and Argentina.
Secondly, he still recovers mentally from the crushing defeat against Brazilian arch rivals, especially after he fired the atmosphere with his reactions for the match. He is expected to start with the Metropolitano, in a match that Flick believes it can be decided for the rest of the season to set the tone.
Raphinha will probably accompany Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal, both of whom have completed for ninety minutes against Girona. Flick's decision will come in midfield, with Pedri and Frenkie de Jong who will probably start at the base of midfield, and an open space for them. Gavi starts as the strong favorite to play the role that is usually reserved for Olmo.
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