MADRID, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has to make some big decisions as his side prepares to face Getafe in La Liga on Saturday afternoon.
Barcelona goes into the game with seven wins from seven games in La Liga this season and a five-point lead over Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, with Real Madrid a further two points behind.
Flick's first doubt is with Raphinha who has been in outstanding form this season, but who returned to Barcelona early after suffering a slight muscle injury while with Brazil.
The forward didn't train with his team-mates on Wednesday or Thursday and Flick has to decide whether to risk a player, whose importance goes way beyond the 12 league goals he has netted this campaign, or opt for either Gabriel Jesus or even Anthony Gordon in a central striking role.
Barcelona has a Champions League tie against Galatasaray in Istanbul on Tuesday and that will probably see Raphinha given more time to recover.
The international break is a problem for Barcelona, with Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi, Pedri and Rodrigo Hernandez all playing for Spain and Yamal the only player to collect more that 270 minutes in his legs.
The winger is vital for Barcelona and will be even more so against a rugged and defensive Getafe, but once again Flick has to decide who gets to rest and who plays.
Gerard Martin can play in central defense for Cubarsi, while the impressive Xabi Espart can play at left back if Flick considers Joao Cancelo also needs a rest after playing for Portugal.
Meanwhile Eric Garcia has recovered after dropping out of the Spain squad with a minor knee injury and can provide cover at right back or in central defense.
Flick's last decision is who should play in goal with Joan Garcia back training on Thursday after the knee injury that kept him out of the international break, while Dominik Livakovic returns after a difficult spell with Croatia that saw him concede 14 goals.
Getafe has scored just four goals this season, but conceded just seven at the start of the season and Jose Bordalas' side will line-up with a five-man defense and a three-man midfield just in front as it looks to deny Barcelona space around its penalty area.
The club is apparently close to signing former Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal as a fee agent but has first to deal with financial fair play issues to complete the deal. ■
