Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick confirmed he will be without two key players in the rearranged LaLiga clash against Osasuna on Thursday.
Raphinha and Ronald Araujo — who were involved in the South American World Cup qualifying games this week — will be given a rest so as to recover from the games and their journey back to Spain.
Barcelona were unsuccessful in their appeal not to play the match this week after it was initially moved from March 8, when the club doctor passed away.
“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,” Flick said in a news conference Wednesday.
Raphinha started as Brazil were dismantled 4-1 by rivals Argentina, while Araujo was on the bench for Uruguay in a goalless draw against Bolivia.
Flick said he was upset with the scheduling of the game, as well as another league contest against Leganes late on Saturday, April 12, in view of their Champions League quarter-final second leg tie against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, April 15.
“When playing away, always at nine, 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 though insisted that despite the scheduling of their match against Osasuna, his team will still be capable of getting maximum points to extend their lead at the top of La Liga.
“Always no excuses, we go for it,” Flick added.
“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.”
