Rashford, Raphinha Out For Barcelona Ahead Of Atletico Madrid Copa Del Rey Clash

Barcelona will enter Thursday’s Copa del Rey semi-final first leg at Atletico Madrid without either of its two specialist left wingers, with Marcus Rashford sidelined by a knee injury and Raphinha yet to recover from a thigh strain, the club’s head coach confirmed on Wednesday.

The absence of both wide attackers leaves the Catalan club depleted on the left flank for one of its most significant fixtures of the season so far, forcing coach Hansi Flick to consider deploying central players in unfamiliar roles at the Metropolitano stadium.

Rashford, the England international on loan from Manchester United, did not train on Wednesday after sustaining a knock during Barcelona’s 3-0 victory over Real Mallorca in La Liga on Saturday. Flick told reporters that the forward was in significant discomfort. “Marcus is not able to play, he got a hit, and it’s painful, and we have to take care about this,” the German coach said. “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.”

Raphinha, who has been a consistent presence in Barcelona’s attack this season, remains sidelined with a thigh strain. Flick indicated the club was exercising caution with the Brazilian’s return. “He’s a player who is always giving everything, always high intensity in the game. And when you feel something, we have to take care and we have to maybe go one step back,” he explained. “This is at the moment the situation. And of course, I’m not happy with the situation because we need him.”

Barcelona’s Copa del Rey defence now proceeds under significant strain. The club enters the fixture as the competition’s reigning holder, having secured the title last season, but faces an Atletico Madrid side known for its intensity at home. The Metropolitano has historically been a difficult venue for visiting teams, and Barcelona’s attacking options are unusually limited.

Flick is expected to consider Ferran Torres or Dani Olmo as makeshift options on the left wing, though neither player operates there as a primary position. The team is also without midfielders Pedri and Gavi, as well as defender Andreas Christensen, all of whom are managing longer-term injuries. The cumulative absences have reduced the depth of Barcelona’s squad at a stage of the season when fixture density typically intensifies.

Beyond the immediate tactical concerns, Wednesday also brought into public view a personal struggle involving one of Barcelona’s defensive leaders. Centre-back Ronald Araujo disclosed in an interview with Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo this week that he has been experiencing anxiety and depression over the last 18 months. The Uruguayan international took a month-long mental health break towards the end of 2025, a period of absence that had not previously been explained in detail.

Flick addressed the matter publicly for the first time on Wednesday, expressing both support for the player and a broader acknowledgment of coaching responsibility. “He is very strong, so to be open about this means you have to be strong in this moment,” Flick said. “It’s all about us who are responsible also, for the players. We have to take care of them. We have to take care, also maybe the opposition’s coaches the same.”

Araujo’s disclosure adds a rare public dimension to the discussion of mental health in professional football, a subject that has historically received limited attention within the sport. While players across various leagues have spoken about psychological strain, it remains uncommon for active high-profile footballers to attribute extended absence directly to anxiety or depression. The 25-year-old’s decision to speak openly has been met with support from within the club and from sections of the Spanish football community.

Barcelona’s medical and technical staff now face dual challenges: managing the physical readiness of a squad stretched by injuries while also attending to the psychological welfare of key personnel. The team’s fixture schedule shows no immediate respite, with the Copa del Rey tie followed by La Liga and European commitments.

Thursday’s match against Atletico Madrid will proceed without two of Barcelona’s primary wide threats. Whether the team can advance in the competition without them will depend on how effectively Flick reconfigures his forward line and whether the squad’s depth, already tested by absences, can absorb another layer of disruption.

The first leg kicks off at 9:30 pm local time on Thursday. The return leg at Camp Nou is scheduled for early April.