This week has been somewhat unusual at Barcelona's Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. According to Sport, with the international break underway, only six first-team players attended the four training sessions scheduled for the week. Flick and the coaching staff will then give the team a nine-day break, allowing players to rest during a longer-than-usual window while their teammates are away on international duty.

Flick only has Gavi, Gerard Martín, Balde, Jesús, Fariñas, and Szczesny available. Including Joan Garcia, Christensen, and Frenkie de Jong, who are still in various stages of recovery, these are the only six players who can participate in training.

For Raphinha, this break will likely not be very relaxing. The Brazilian joined his national team in the best form of his career, having just scored a hat-trick against Sevilla and risen to the top of the league's scoring charts. He is in excellent form, his importance to Barcelona is growing, and contract extension talks are progressing well.

Next, he will practically fly halfway across the globe. Raphinha will travel to Australia to play two matches with the Brazilian national team, then return to Barcelona to continue what has been an exceptionally strong start to the season for him.

Flick attended the annual coaches' meeting at Las Rozas Football City this Tuesday. Most LaLiga and Segunda División coaches meet there, but he will not have a "dramatic encounter" with Mourinho, as the Portuguese coach, although living in the same city, declined the invitation.

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