Raphinha Left Out of Barcelona Squad for Galatasaray Match
Barcelona have announced their travelling squad for the UEFA Champions League meeting with Galatasaray, with Raphinha among the players omitted from the list. The Brazilian forward is unavailable after experiencing a minor muscle issue in his right thigh.
The club also left out Frenkie de Jong, Andreas Christensen and Roony Bardghji, who are all dealing with injuries. Their absence means Barcelona will travel to Istanbul without several players who might otherwise have been considered for selection.
Raphinha’s problem was described as mild muscular swelling in the back of his right thigh. He had already been withdrawn from Brazil’s squad ahead of the national team’s match against India and did not feature in Barcelona’s LaLiga fixture against Getafe. His omission from the Galatasaray party therefore continues a period of uncertainty over his availability.
Barcelona have not included a return date for the forward in the squad announcement. With the issue affecting his thigh, his absence from the travelling group indicates that he is not ready to take part in this match. The club will need to assess his condition before he can be considered again.
The match is part of the second round of the Champions League. Galatasaray are set to host the Spanish side at RAMS Park, with kick-off scheduled for 22:00. Italian referee Marco Guida has been appointed to officiate.
Barcelona’s travelling squad
Goalkeepers: Joan Garcia, Wojciech Szczesny, Dominik Livakovic
Defenders: Joao Cancelo, Alejandro Balde, Pau Cubarsi, Xavi Espart, Gerard Martin, Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia
Midfielders: Brian Farinas, Gavi, Fermin Lopez, Pedri, Rodrigo, Dani Olmo, Marc Bernal
Forwards: Gabriel Jesus, Lamine Yamal, Karim Adeyemi, Anthony Gordon, Abdelkarim
Raphinha’s absence removes one option from Barcelona’s attacking group, while the squad still includes a range of forwards and midfielders who could be used in advanced roles. The final selection and formation will be determined closer to kick-off.
The injury list may also affect Barcelona’s choices in other areas of the pitch. With de Jong and Christensen unavailable, the coaching staff will have fewer options among the midfielders and defenders, making the depth of the travelling squad particularly important.
For Galatasaray, the announcement provides an indication of which Barcelona players will be available in Istanbul. However, the Spanish club still bring a substantial group of experienced and younger players, and the absence of several regular options does not in itself determine how the match will unfold.
The game offers both sides a chance to collect points in the Champions League’s second round. Playing at home gives Galatasaray the benefit of their own stadium, while Barcelona will aim to manage the match with the players included in their travelling party.
Raphinha’s situation will remain one to monitor after the fixture. If the thigh issue settles, he could return to contention for a subsequent match, but Barcelona’s medical assessment will guide any decision on when he is ready to resume playing.