FC Barcelona’s injury concerns deepened on October 25, 2025, as the club confirmed that winger Raphinha will miss the upcoming El Clásico against Real Madrid due to a hamstring relapse. The Brazilian’s absence removes one of Barça’s most direct threats on the right flank at a time when attacking depth is already thin.
Why Raphinha’s absence matters
Raphinha’s verticality, pressing intensity, and final-ball quality have been essential for stretching compact defenses. Without him, the right side loses a natural ball-carrier who draws fouls and creates overloads with the interior midfielder.
Who steps up?
Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres are the primary candidates to cover the right wing. Yamal’s 1v1 flair can unbalance Madrid’s back line, while Ferran offers intelligent movement and pressing triggers that suit Barcelona’s off-ball structure.
Tactical tweaks for the Bernabéu
With assistant Marcus Sorg on the touchline, Barcelona are likely to adopt a compact 4-3-3 that protects the half-spaces. Expect inverted full-back movements to help the first phase and quick switches toward the weak side to exploit Madrid’s press.
Injury context
Raphinha joins a list of absentees that has forced reliance on La Masia graduates. Managing load and in-game control through Pedri and Frenkie de Jong will be critical to keep transitions in check.
Outlook
The setback is significant, but it also presents a proving ground for Barcelona’s young core. If the collective press holds and the team finds clarity in the final third, a result at the Bernabéu is still achievable.