Why Raphinha was dropped to the bench for Barcelona vs Real Betis | OneFootball

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has provided an explanation for his decision to leave Raphinha out of his starting line-up to face Real Betis.

Barcelona are of course currently locked in action, in their latest La Liga outing.

Fresh off booking their spot in the Copa del Rey final in midweek, the Blaugrana have welcomed Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis to Catalunya’s capital.

After Real Madrid slipped to defeat at the hands of Valencia earlier in the day, Barca entered proceedings in the knowledge that an eventual victory would see them open up a six-point advantage atop the table.

In turn, it may have come as something of a surprise to see the aforementioned Raphinha – one of the Catalans’ standout performers this season – condemned to the bench at Montjuïc.

Speaking to the media ahead of kick-off, the subject of his call to leave the Brazilian international out of his latest XI was in turn put to Hansi Flick.

And Barcelona’s headmaster went on to explain:

“Raphinha? Nothing special. He played several matches for his country, and we want to be careful with him.”

Conor Laird – GSFN