MADRID (AP) — Barcelona forward Rafinha is doubtful for Thursday’s Copa del Rey semifinal first leg against Atlético Madrid.
Rafinha is recovering from a muscle injury and missed his second consecutive game. He did not train with the rest of the squad on Tuesday.
The Brazil international has not played since January 31, in a 3-1 win over Elche in the Spanish league. He felt soreness in his right leg during that game and was substituted at halftime.
“I’m feeling better. I’m getting better day by day,” he told Spanish media on Monday. “I’m going to see if I can play Thursday…I have options, but we all know how injuries go. I’m not going to lie. I’d like to say I’ll be able to play Thursday, but I’m just not strong enough.”
Rafinha has been one of Barcelona’s top players this season. He scored 10 goals in 11 games before getting injured.
Barcelona are the defending Copa champions and have won 17 of their last 18 matches in all competitions, but their last setback was a 2-1 loss to Real Sociedad on January 18.
The first leg against Atlético will be played in Madrid.
Atlético advances to the top four Won against Real Betis 5-0are aiming to advance to the Copa final for the first time since winning the title in the 2012-13 season.
Real Madrid is Lost to second division Albacete Barcelona advanced to the semi-finals in the round of 16. Break through Albacete In the quarterfinals.
Featured players
Lamine Yamal continues to play a key role in Barcelona’s attack, scoring five goals in the team’s last five competitive games.
He scored goals for Barcelona in both the round of 16 and the quarter-finals of the Copa.
Atletico, who have won just one of their last four games in all competitions, will be boosted by new Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman, who scored on his debut for Diego Simeone’s club last week.
basque derby
Basque rivals Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao will face off in the other semi-final first leg on Wednesday.
The first match will be played on February 1st in Bilbao, where they drew 1-1 in the Spanish league.
Athletic won 2-1 He reached the Copa semi-finals for the sixth time in seven seasons with Valencia, and Sociedad defeated Alaves 3-2 to advance to the last four for the third consecutive season.
The second leg will be played in March and the final will be held in Seville in April.
off the field
The semi-final match against Atlético will be Barcelona’s first match since João. Mr. Laporta resigns He will be sworn in as club president on Monday as scheduled to qualify for re-election on March 15th.
Laporta and some board members resigned so he could run again.
The current board of directors, including new club president Rafael Juste, will serve until the end of their term on June 30th.
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