Raphinha to Miss Barcelona's Champions League Trip to Galatasaray

Barcelona forward Raphinha will not play in Tuesday's Champions League game at Galatasaray, after Hansi Flick decided to rest his captain.

The Brazilian sat out the weekend win over Getafe and is staying in Catalonia. It is a mutual agreement between player and manager to protect his fitness ahead of a heavy run of games. Flick wants to avoid past mistakes, when rushing the winger's recovery led to two separate muscle problems.

Flick revealed the plan at his press conference before the Getafe game on Friday. Both sides agreed not to take unnecessary risks, especially as the Galatasaray game is not as make-or-break as El Clasico, which is on Sunday, October 25.

Raphinha joins Frenkie de Jong, Andreas Christensen and Roony Bardghji on the sidelines. Flick still has plenty of firepower in Lamine Yamal, Karim Adeyemi and Gabriel Jesus. MARCA reports that Barcelona will stay overnight in Istanbul and hold a training session on Wednesday to keep players fresh before flying home.

Galatasaray boss Okan Buruk has his own problems. He cannot call on injured defender Wilfried Singo or suspended Lesley Ugochukwu.

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Barcelona can strengthen their place near the top of the Champions League table. They started the league phase with a 5-1 win over Feyenoord, and they have won each of their last three visits to the reigning Turkish champions.

After Tuesday's game at Rams Park, Flick's side must quickly reset for a trip to Real Betis in La Liga on Saturday.