Barcelona heads into the El Clásico against Real Madrid in a much better place than it was two weeks ago. The 6–1 win over Olympiacos restored confidence within the squad and, more importantly, brought back a key piece: Raphinha. The 28-year-old Brazilian trained with the group on Wednesday, a big step toward confirming he’ll be available for Sunday’s match at the Santiago Bernabéu. He has a strong chance of being included in Hansi Flick’s squad list and will likely be one of Barça’s main weapons in a game that could shift the top of the La Liga table.
A return that changes the game
Raphinha hasn’t played since September 25, when he suffered a right thigh injury. His recovery period lined up with a stretch of tactical adjustments in the attack. Without him, Flick turned to young players like Fermín López, who scored a hat trick against Olympiacos, Roony Bardaghji, and Dro, just 17 years old. While they delivered in the Champions League, the Brazilian’s return means getting back a player who often makes the difference in clásicos.
Last season, Raphinha was decisive against Real Madrid. In four matches, he scored five goals. Two came in the 4–3 win that virtually sealed the Spanish title for Barça, and two more in the Spanish Super Cup. He also scored a brilliant goal in the first half of the La Liga campaign, when Barça won 4–0. In games like this, he tends to stand out.
A clásico with title implications
This clásico comes at a crucial moment. Real Madrid sits top of the league with 24 points, while Barcelona is just behind with 22. A win at the Bernabéu would put the Catalan side back in first place and shift the momentum in the title race. The team’s confidence has grown since the Champions League win, and the return of key players only strengthens that feeling. In addition to Raphinha, Ferran Torres, who missed the Olympiacos match, is expected to be available for the clásico.
The coaching staff’s hope is that Raphinha will be fit to start, which would boost Barça’s attacking power and create more options in the final third. The Brazilian hit peak form last season, and his recent record against Real Madrid is a reminder of how decisive he can be in matches of this magnitude.