Ahead of their upcoming La Liga encounter, Getafe coach Jose Bordalas stated that the absence of Brazilian winger Raphinha will not pose a major problem for the Spanish club Barcelona in their domestic football campaign. Although the South American star has been enjoying an exceptional run of form and delivers a massive impact on the pitch, the opponent's manager remains convinced that the Blaugrana possess more than enough depth to overcome this temporary setback.
Jose Bordalas praises Barcelona squad depth
Speaking to the media prior to the match, the Getafe tactician addressed the physical condition of the former Leeds United and Rennes attacker. Raphinha picked up a muscle strain in the posterior part of his right thigh while on international duty with the Brazil national team. Consequently, the Catalan coaching staff decided against taking any unnecessary risks with his recovery, ruling him out for the fixture.
Coping without a key attacking element
Despite losing one of their most influential offensive weapons, Bordalas emphasized that the Catalan giants feature a phenomenal squad filled with world-class players. The team's collective talent ensures they can maintain their competitive edge in Spanish football even when missing vital starters due to injury or fatigue.
Next fixture details
Barcelona is preparing to host Getafe tomorrow for the eighth round of the La Liga season, looking to secure a crucial victory to maintain their momentum at the top of the table without their star winger.
Photo : Bryan Berlin — CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons