Flick Confirms Raphinha and De Jong Return as Barcelona Head to Real Betis

Barcelona have received a double fitness boost ahead of Saturday's LaLiga trip to Real Betis, with coach Hansi Flick confirming that both Raphinha and Frenkie de Jong are back in the squad and available for the match at La Cartuja.

Raphinha, 29, picked up a knock during the recent international break and sat out Barcelona's win over Getafe in LaLiga and the Champions League victory against Galatasaray. The Brazilian has been in blistering form this season with 14 goals in eight outings for the Catalan club, and his return softens the attacking workload that has fallen heavily on Lamine Yamal in recent weeks.

"If you ask him, he'll tell you he's ready to start, but I have to take it step by step," Flick said of Raphinha. "He trained well with the group, but we have to manage him. The good news is that he'll be available, and so will Frenkie De Jong."

De Jong's availability is the more significant milestone. The 29-year-old Dutch midfielder has not featured at all this season after sustaining a knee injury during the World Cup, and his return to full training gives Flick a first-choice option in central midfield for the first time since the summer.

"We have a lot of games in a short space of time and we need to manage that," Flick added, with the fixture list about to bite. After the visit to third-placed Betis, Barcelona travel to twice-defending Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday before hosting Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid in El Clasico five days later.

Betis will provide no gentle landing. Manuel Pellegrini's side sit third in LaLiga after eight games, level on 19 points with second-placed Atletico Madrid, and defeated Porto 3-2 in the Europa League in midweek. Isco has scored three goals in his four LaLiga games against Barcelona — his favourite opponent in the competition.

Flick also moved to ease concerns around Yamal, insisting the teenager's minutes are being monitored rather than a problem being managed. "We have to manage his playing time," the German said. "But the most important thing is that he enjoys playing football, and that's what he's doing."

For a Barcelona side whose depth has been tested by De Jong's long absence and Raphinha's short one, the timing could hardly be better. A demanding week that could shape their season now begins with a near-full-strength squad.