SM
Barcelona vs. Valencia: 21 hrs 40 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Barcelona boss Xavi calms Raphinha injury fears ahead of Napoli clash

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

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.

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".

"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.

body check tags ::

amp_article__538627 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2024-03-09 23:27:30:
html db last update - 2024-03-09 18:28:14 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Marcos Alonso

Click here for more stories about Barcelona

Share this article now:
FB
Read Next:
Barcelona missing seven players for La Liga clash with Mallorca
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Marcos Alonso Ferran Torres Xavi Raphinha Frenkie de Jong Pedri Alejandro Balde Gavi Lamine Yamal Javier Aguirre Robert Lewandowski Victor Osimhen Football
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Barcelona missing seven players for La Liga clash with Mallorca
Champions Man City continue title charge with win at Forest

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid33266171224984
2GironaGirona33225669402971
3Barcelona32217464372770
4Atletico MadridAtletico33204962392364
5Athletic Bilbao331610753332058
6Real Sociedad331312846351151
7Real BetisBetis33121384139249
8Valencia32138113534147
9Villarreal33129125455-145
10Getafe331013104145-443
11Osasuna33116163749-1239
12Sevilla33911134246-438
13AlavesAlaves33108153138-738
14Las PalmasLas Palmas33107163041-1137
15Rayo Vallecano33713132742-1534
16Mallorca33614132739-1232
17Celta Vigo33710163750-1331
18CadizCadiz33414152346-2326
19Granada3349203661-2521
RAlmeria33111213267-3514
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Premier League Team of the Week - Havertz, Gallagher, Robertson

1

PL

This weekend's permutations: Who can be crowned champions, win promotion or suffer relegation?

2

TW

Coronation Street villain Nathan Curtis's return confirmed

NEW

3

CS

Great Britain top medal table at European Men's Artistic Championships

4

GB

Five potential free agents Man Utd should target this summer

5

FP

"Nothing has changed" - Xavi insists "key" Barca star will stay at club

6

&H

Champions Man City continue title charge with win at Forest

7

CM

Mikel Arteta hails "sensational" Arsenal star after derby victory

8

MA

"He was outstanding" - Postecoglou hails Tottenham star after derby defeat

9

&W

"A threat" - Ten Hag praises much-criticised Man United man

10

&T


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .