Rafinha will miss El Clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid sports

Barcelona assistant coach Marcos Sorge confirmed on Saturday that his team will face leaders Real Madrid at the top of the Spanish Premier League tomorrow, Sunday, at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium without its Brazilian striker Rafinha, in light of the Catalan team suffering from a long list of injuries.

Rafinha (28 years old), who has not yet recovered from a leg muscle injury, joined a large group of prominent absentees that includes Dani Olmo, Robert Lewandowski, Gavi, and goalkeepers Juan Garcia and Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

With the absence of 10 players from participating since last August, Barcelona’s injury crisis has left the team in a state of severe exhaustion before one of the most important matches of the season.

Despite Rafinha’s setback, the defending champion is still optimistic about his ability to rely on prominent players Ferran Torres, Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen and Frenkie de Jong, who all participated in the team’s training on Saturday.

Sorg said in a press conference, “Any team will miss Rafinha, but this is the situation currently. He is injured.”

“We will see if Ferran (Torres) will start the match and we will decide that tomorrow. Jules Kounde also trained this morning and may participate. I still do not know the starting lineup.”

Torres left the Spain camp early due to a leg muscle strain, while De Jong missed 3 training sessions this week due to illness, and Kounde was forced to leave the field during the 6-1 win over Olympiacos in the Champions League last week after a leg bruise.

Injuries further complicate the problem of choosing the lineup in the important match against Real Madrid, which leads by two points over second-place Barcelona after 8 matches.

Flick suspended after being expelled

Sorge will assume responsibility for leading the team tomorrow, Sunday, in light of the suspension of Barcelona coach Hansi Flick after he was sent off during the 2-1 victory over Girona in the league on October 18 due to his alleged protest against refereeing decisions in the final minutes of the match.

Sorg admitted that the absence of German coach Flick (60 years old) will be felt, but he insisted that the team is still prepared.

He said, “We will always miss Flick because he is one of the most important elements of the team. I think that his presence on the touchline gives the players confidence, and the players also trust him. His absence is touching. But Flick is in a good mood, positive and enthusiastic.”

Despite the increasing challenges, Sorg expressed his confidence in leading this prestigious match.

Barcelona achieved 4 consecutive victories over Real Madrid in 3 competitions last season and scored 16 goals, including a 4-0 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu and a 5-2 victory in the Super Cup final.

“I am honored to be on the bench to lead this team,” said Sorge, who will face new Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso. “It will be a difficult match, and I hope we can show our strength.”

“Real Madrid has made significant progress over last season. They are pressing hard along the length of the field, and I think this has changed (from last season). No one knows what might happen at the Santiago Bernabeu… We have to control our emotions, and we are ready for the match.”