Barcelona manager Hansi Flick gave his players Sunday off to recover from their draw against Real Betis and prepare for a vital Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.
The break proved especially timely for Raphinha, who found himself at the centre of a heated moment during Saturday's match.
The Brazilian winger clashed with a linesman in the dying minutes after disputing a throw-in awarded to Betis. His temper flared to the point where teammates, and even Flick himself, had to step in to calm him down and prevent the situation from escalating further.
Speaking in the post-match press conference, Flick downplayed the incident, saying, "Raphinha was upset with me, not the referee."
Determined to quash any rumours of a rift between player and manager, Barcelona moved quickly to set the record straight.
On Monday, the club posted a video on their social media channels showing Raphinha and Flick chatting amicably before training, a clear sign that all is well within the camp.
The draw against Betis may have left Barcelona fans wanting more, but the focus now shifts to Dortmund, where the Catalan giants will look to make a statement in Europe.
Flick's decision to give the squad a rest day has been widely praised, with former player Gary Neville noting on X, "Smart from Flick, fresh legs and clear heads could be the difference midweek."
As the countdown to Wednesday continues, Barcelona are banking on their stars, Raphinha included, to rise to the occasion.
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