Raphinha was irate and frustrated after Saturday night’s disappointing 1-1 tie between Barcelona and Real Betis. Real Madrid’s unexpected 2-1 loss to Valencia at home earlier in the day gave Barcelona the chance to increase their lead at the top of La Liga to six points.
But after Barcelona was held to a draw at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, the margin now stands at four points with eight games left. Gavi gave the home team the lead in the seventh minute, but Natan’s equaliser in the seventeenth minute brought the score even and gave Betis a point.
Competition for the La Liga Title (April 5)
Place
Club
played
Points
1.
Barcelona
30
67
2.
Real Madrid
30
63
3.
Real Madrid
29
57
4.
Bilbao Athletic
29
53
Unexpectedly, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick included Raphinha, one of the best players in European football this season and a strong candidate for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, among the replacements. Alongside fellow attackers Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal, he joined the battle on the left flank in the 57th minute, replacing Ferran Torres.
However, Raphinha failed to assist Barca in finding the game-winning goal, and the Brazilian’s emotions were evidently running high at full time as the chance to get further away from Real Madrid was lost. After the game, the former Leeds United winger challenged the referee, but his teammates, including Lewandowski, quickly waved him away.
Video showed the South American aggressively slamming a ball away as he left the pitch. Then, before making his way down the tunnel, the 28-year-old was seen pushing his teammate Marc-Andre ter Stegen away. View the entire footage below:
Raphinha was upset with the match officials, particularly the assistant referee, according to another footage of the incident. After the final whistle blew and Ter Stegen’s unwelcome interference resulted in the German goalie being shoved by his irate teammate, Raphinha demanded answers.
Given that Barcelona had just been denied a possible corner with the game’s last play, Raphinha might have been especially agitated. Although a Real Betis defender may have deflected Raphinha’s last-minute, dangerous cross behind him, referee Gil Manzano blew the final whistle before the corner could be taken.
Hansi Flick Reacts to Raphinha’s Behaviour
Barcelona boss attempts to defuse situation
When asked about his player’s outraged response, Flick clarified that he benched Raphinha because of the Brazilian’s recent volume of club and national football activity. According to The Metro, Flick told reporters following the game:
“He was screaming at me because he was upset with me and not the referee.”
Despite the heated circumstances, Barca Universal notes that Gil Manzano did not address the incident in his post-match report. Therefore, rather than being interpreted as misconduct, Raphinha’s outburst is probably going to be seen as an emotional release, and no consequences are anticipated.
However, with Barcelona hoping to conclude the season as both La Liga and European champions, Flick will be depending on Raphinha, one of his best players, to maintain his composure. On April 26, the Catalan powerhouses will take on their bitter rivals Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final.
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