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Barcelona boss Xavi calms Raphinha injury fears ahead of Napoli clash

Barcelona boss Xavi calms Raphinha injury fears ahead of Napoli clash
© Reuters
Barcelona head coach Xavi says that he substituted Raphinha against Mallorca on Friday evening as a "precaution".

Barcelona head coach Xavi has said that he substituted Raphinha against Mallorca on Friday evening as a "precaution", with the attacker expected to be available for next week's clash with Napoli.

The Brazil international was replaced in the latter stages of the first half against Mallorca after taking a blow to his ankle, and there had been fears that he could now be set for another spell on the sidelines.

However, Xavi said after his side's 1-0 victory that Raphinha had not picked up an injury, with the decision to replace him purely precautionary.

The forward is expected to be fit for Tuesday's Champions League last-16 second leg with Napoli, with Barcelona bidding to book their spot in the quarter-finals of the competition.

"Raphinha's substitution was for precaution. It was just a blow, in principle he's not injured," said the Catalan outfit's head coach after the narrow success over Mallorca.

Barcelona's Raphinha receives medical attention after sustaining an injury on September 29, 2023© Reuters

The 27-year-old has spent two separate periods on the sidelines this season with muscular issues, but he has still managed to contribute five goals and eight assists in 26 appearances in all competitions.

Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Alejandro Balde, Marcos Alonso and Gavi remain unavailable for selection, but there is a chance that Ferran Torres could recover from a thigh injury in time for the European contest.

Barcelona's 1-0 win over Mallorca, which was secured courtesy of a 73rd-minute effort from Lamine Yamal, moved the reigning champions into second position in the table, five points behind leaders Real Madrid.

The Catalan outfit are unbeaten in their last eight matches in all competitions, but they have only scored once in their last two games, and Xavi has said that the team "lack effectiveness in front of goal".

Barcelona head coach Xavi on January 21, 2024© Reuters

"We still lack effectiveness in front of goal. We created four or five chances against a team that barely concedes chances," he added during his post-match press conference.

"I suffered today, yes. Same story all season. We created enough chances to win by more than one goal. Scoring the penalty would have completely changed the match. Our effectiveness has cost us again.

"We created a lot of chances against a team that doesn't concede many of them. We were calm and patient. We played a solid match against a well-prepared opponent. It's very difficult to attack their 5-3-2.

"Our defensive feelings are very good. We have improved a lot in this aspect, that's how we're winning matches. Mallorca were equal to us a lot of the time because [Javier] Aguirre prepares his teams very well."

Barcelona are level at 1-1 with Napoli ahead of the second leg of their last-16 Champions League affair, with Victor Osimhen scoring for the Italian champions in the first leg after Robert Lewandowski had sent the Catalan giants into the lead in Naples.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid34276174225287
2GironaGirona34235673423174
3Barcelona34227570432773
4Atletico MadridAtletico34214963392467
5Athletic Bilbao341710755332261
6Real Sociedad341412848351354
7Real BetisBetis34131384339452
8Valencia34138133739-247
9Villarreal34129135658-245
10Getafe341013114147-643
11AlavesAlaves34118153238-641
12Sevilla341011134546-141
13Osasuna34116173751-1439
14Las PalmasLas Palmas34107173043-1337
15Celta Vigo34810164052-1234
16Rayo Vallecano34713142743-1634
17Mallorca34614142740-1332
18CadizCadiz34414162349-2626
19Granada3449213664-2821
RAlmeria34211213367-3417


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