Barcelona's momentum is building at the perfect time. Fresh off a thrilling 2-1 La Liga victory over Atletico Madrid and a dominant Champions League quarterfinal qualification, the Blaugrana are set for a defining trilogy against Diego Simeone's side. With three clashes in rapid succession, squad fitness is paramount. Here’s the latest on Barcelona’s injury front as they prepare for this critical stretch.

The biggest blow comes in attack, where Raphinha faces a significant spell on the sidelines. The Brazilian winger suffered a right hamstring injury while on international duty and is expected to be out for around five weeks. His absence will test Barcelona's depth on the flank, with a potential return not slated until the Osasuna match in early May.

There is, however, positive news regarding defensive stalwart Jules Koundé. The French international, who has been a rock at the back this season, picked up a hamstring issue in late February. His return from the bench in the recent league win over Atleti is a major boost. The club will be cautiously optimistic he can regain his starting spot for the upcoming Champions League first leg at Camp Nou, which would be a huge lift for Hansi Flick's backline.

With confidence soaring from five straight La Liga wins and a top-of-the-table position, Barcelona's ability to navigate these injuries could define their season. The predicted lineup for the next European showdown will likely see Koundé slot back into defense, while Flick must find a creative solution to fill the void left by Raphinha's dynamism on the wing.