Raphinha to Start on Bench for Barcelona Against Real Betis

Raphinha will not be in the starting lineup for Barcelona's La Liga match against Real Betis, as the team manages his recovery from a right-thigh injury. The match is set for Saturday, October 17, at the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville, where Barcelona aims to maintain its perfect record in the 2026-27 season.

Despite Raphinha's absence, Barcelona has performed well, recently winning 3-0 against Getafe and 4-1 against Galatasaray. Coach Hansi Flick has opted to ease Raphinha back into play, having returned to full training shortly before the match. He is expected to play around 15-20 minutes, depending on the game's progression.

Flick's decision is part of a strategy to ensure Raphinha is fit for upcoming crucial matches, including a Champions League game against Paris Saint-Germain on October 20 and El Clásico against Real Madrid on October 25.