Raphinha uncertain before PSG as Flick manages Barça schedule
Raphinha is back in the FC Barcelona squad, but his coach Hansi Flick keeps the suspense about his status for the busy week leading up to the trip to Parc des Princes on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
Key takeaways
- Raphinha is back in the Barcelona squad after an injury sustained on international duty.
- Hansi Flick keeps Raphinha’s starting status open, preferring to manage his playing time step by step.
- Barça faces three major matches in nine days: at La Cartuja on Saturday, October 17, 2026, PSG at Parc des Princes on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 21:00, then Real Madrid at home on Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 21:00.
- Frenkie de Jong is returning from a knee injury and Lamine Yamal is also among the staff’s management considerations.
- PSG beat Manchester City 4-2 on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, and will host Barcelona on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 21:00 at Parc des Princes.
Match sheet
Paris Saint-Germain 4 – 2 Barcelona
· Ligue des champions · League Phase · Parc des Princes
- 17' João Cancelo (Barcelona) — yellow card
- 38' Désiré Doué (Paris Saint-Germain) — goal
- 55' Xavi Espart (Barcelona) — goal
- 72' Lucas Hernández (Paris Saint-Germain) — goal
- 79' Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) — goal
- 81' Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain) — goal
- 86' Fabián Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain) — goal
Standings Ligue des champions : 1er, 9 pts (3 j.)
The return of Raphinha to the FC Barcelona squad does not erase the uncertainty surrounding his participation in the match against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 21:00 at Parc des Princes. The Brazilian winger has rejoined the group after an injury contracted on international duty, but manager Hansi Flick takes a cautious approach given a tightly packed calendar.
An official return, not yet a full green light
Raphinha, who had been absent during Barcelona's victory at Getafe and during the Champions League win over Galatasaray, is again among the players available. Despite this reintegration, Hansi Flick has kept a degree of ambiguity: he stated that if asked, the player would say he could start, but the staff prefers to move forward step by step. The coach’s wording reflects a desire not to decide too early in a week that features several important matches.
The calendar constraint: three big games in nine days
The management challenge stems mainly from the sequence of matches: a trip to Andalusia for a game on Saturday at La Cartuja, then a visit to Parc des Princes on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 21:00 against Paris Saint-Germain, and finally a home game against Real Madrid on Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 21:00 at Camp Nou. Hansi Flick explained that dosing Raphinha’s minutes aims to have him in good shape for the major fixtures to follow.
Other management dossiers for Flick
Aside from Raphinha, Flick must incorporate the return of Frenkie de Jong, out with a knee injury since the World Cup, as well as managing Lamine Yamal’s situation. These elements further complicate selection decisions, as they provide more options but require the staff to distribute playing time to avoid fatigue and the risk of a relapse.
Parisian context and deadline
Paris Saint-Germain arrive at the European clash after a run of positive results: a 4-2 victory over Manchester City on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 in the Champions League and a 3-1 win against Le Mans on Saturday, October 10, 2026 in Ligue 1. PSG hosts Barcelona at Parc des Princes on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 21:00 as part of the Champions League group stage. PSG’s official schedule also includes a trip to Strasbourg on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at 17:15 before this European rendezvous.
The picture remains simple: Raphinha is fit and available, but Hansi Flick rules out any rush. The decision to start him, bring him on as a substitute, or preserve him remains to be confirmed in the hours leading up to the trip to Parc des Princes on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 21:00.
Your questions, our answers
Will Raphinha play against PSG on Tuesday, October 20, 2026?
Raphinha is back in the squad, but Hansi Flick has not confirmed whether he will start or be named in the lineup on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 21:00 at Parc des Princes.
Why does Flick hesitate to start Raphinha?
Flick explains that he prefers to dose Raphinha’s minutes due to a very crowded schedule with three important matches in nine days, in order to preserve his freshness for Paris and then the Clasico.
What is PSG’s schedule around the match against Barcelona?
PSG travel to Strasbourg on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at 17:15, host Barcelona on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 21:00 at Parc des Princes, then host Lyon on Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 20:45.