As FC Barcelona prepare to take on Girona in the Catalan derby at Estadi Montilivi, manager Hansi Flick has named his starting lineup.
The big news is that key winger Raphinha is back in the XI after recovering from a hamstring problem. He missed the last three matches and has had fitness issues earlier this season, so it had been expected that Flick might ease him back in, but the German coach has chosen to reintegrate him directly into the starting side on the left flank.
Speaking to Movistar+ (via Mundo Deportivo) ahead of kickoff, Flick explained his decision to start Raphinha, saying the 29-year-old is fully fit and ready from kickoff: "It was a decision made to prepare for today’s game. I’ve spoken with him, and he’s fit," he said briefly. When asked whether the 4–0 defeat in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Atlético Madrid last Thursday had influenced his approach to Girona v Barça, Flick kept his answer short: "One result doesn’t change anything about our philosophy or our confidence in what we do." He made clear he will continue to back his tactical approach despite the Copa del Rey match in which Atlético exposed Barcelona’s high defensive line in the first half.
