Copa del Rey: Barcelona’s Raphinha, Rashford to miss Atletico clash

Barcelona will be without both of their left wingers Raphinha and Marcus Rashford for the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg clash at Atletico Madrid on Thursday.

Raphinha is still sidelined with a thigh strain, while Rashford did not train on Wednesday.

Rashford is suffering from a knee problem after receiving a knock in Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Real Mallorca in LaLiga on Saturday.

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick told reporters on Wednesday: “Marcus is not able to play, he got a hit and it’s painful and we have to take care about this.

“I think this is not good news, but in the end I believe in my team always.

“When it’s like this, the situation is not easy, we grow and this is also necessary for tomorrow.”

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Flick said the Copa del Rey holders had to go “step by step” with Raphinha’s recovery.

The manager added: “He’s a player who is always giving everything, always playing at high intensity in the game. And when you feel something, we have to take care and we have to maybe go one step back.

“This is at the moment the situation. And of course, I’m not happy with the situation because we need him.”

Flick could use Ferran Torres or Dani Olmo out of position on the left wing to try and fill the gap at Atletico’s Metropolitano stadium.

The Catalan giants also have Pedri, Gavi, and Andreas Christensen out with longer-term injuries.

The Star