Barcelona have received a double fitness boost ahead of their crucial La Liga trip to face Real Betis in Seville, with captains Raphinha and Frenkie de Jong cleared to return to action. Both players completed full training at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper on Thursday and earned official medical clearance for Hansi Flick’s matchday squad. For De Jong, it marks his first squad inclusion of the campaign after sustaining a knee injury at the World Cup, while Raphinha returns following a brief two-match absence caused by a minor issue picked up on international duty with Brazil.
Although neither player is expected to step straight into the starting lineup in Seville, Flick intends to utilize both captains off the bench to reintroduce them to match rhythm. Barcelona exercised extreme caution with Raphinha, keeping the Brazilian winger sidelined for two fixtures after his international setback despite his exceptional start to the season. Remarkably, the Catalan side maintained their attacking output in his absence, scoring seven goals across those two matches. De Jong’s return provides vital tactical depth to the midfield, offering Flick a key asset just as the fixture calendar begins to demand maximum squad rotation.
With tactical adjustments looming, Gabriel Jesus is expected to lead the attack and make his second start for Barcelona this weekend. The forward has already tallied three goals for the club, including a strike in his first start against Getafe. After starting against Getafe, Jesus began on the bench for Tuesday night’s UEFA Champions League fixture against Galatasaray in Istanbul, where Flick deployed Dani Olmo as a false nine. Jesus is now set to spearhead the frontline against an in-form Real Betis side in what promises to be Barcelona’s toughest domestic challenge of the season so far.
The trip to Seville carries significant historical weight for the league leaders. Victory against Real Betis would allow Barcelona to match Real Madrid’s long-standing record of nine consecutive wins to open a La Liga season, a milestone dating back to the 1950s. Securing three points at Betis would provide a massive morale boost before a grueling week featuring key showdowns against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and Real Madrid in domestic play. While a setback wouldn’t derail their campaign, taking all three points keeps Barcelona’s flawless momentum intact at a pivotal moment in the season.
