Barcelona travel to Atletico Madrid for a high-stakes Copa del Rey semi-final first leg stripped of both their senior left-sided forwards, Marcus Rashford and Raphinha, in a double blow that tests the depth and resilience of Hansi Flick’s squad.

Rashford, who has quickly become a key figure in Barcelona’s attack since his move from Manchester United, failed to train on the eve of the match after suffering a knee problem. The forward took a heavy knock during Barcelona’s 3-0 victory over Real Mallorca in La Liga, and medical staff have advised caution.

“Marcus is not able to play, he got a hit, and it’s painful, and we have to take care about this,” Flick told reporters. “I think this is not good news, but in the end I believe in my team always. When it’s like this, the situation is not easy, we grow and this is also necessary for tomorrow.”

On the opposite flank, Raphinha remains out with a thigh strain that has already sidelined him in recent weeks. The Brazilian’s explosive style and relentless pressing have been central to Flick’s wide play, but the coach insisted the club would not rush him back.

“He’s a player who is always giving everything, always playing at high intensity,” Flick said. “When you feel something, we have to take care and maybe go one step back. Of course, I’m not happy with the situation because we need him.”

Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo are the leading candidates to fill the vacancy on the left, even if it means operating out of their preferred positions. The reshuffle comes on top of an already stretched squad, with Pedri, Gavi and Andreas Christensen all out with longer-term injuries, forcing Flick to improvise both tactically and in terms of leadership on the pitch.

Off the field, the tie is framed by Ronald Araujo’s recent admission that he has been battling anxiety and depression for the past 18 months. The defender, who took a month-long mental health break, received public backing from his coach.

“He is very strong, so to be open about this means you have to be strong in this moment,” Flick said. “It’s all about us who are responsible for the players. We have to take care of them.”

Barcelona now head into the Metropolitano knowing that, depleted or not, their response in Madrid will shape the rest of their season.