Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has admitted that he intended to afford a rest to Raphinha in the club’s meeting with RCD Mallorca.
Wide-man Raphinha, for his part, is of course fresh off an outing to remember.
Owing to a brace amid a fine all-round performance, the Brazilian international was named Man of the Match in Barcelona’s 5-1 triumph at Son Moix.
Had things played out just a little differently, however, Raphinha could have found himself watching on from the bench.
Speaking to the media on the back of the full-time whistle this evening, Hansi Flick was drawn on the stellar display put forth by his side’s wing wizard.
And, in his response, Barca’s headmaster went on to admit that, in the build-up to the clash, he was giving serious consideration to leaving Raphinha out of his XI to face Mallorca:
“We planned to rest Raphinha, but he told us that he felt really good, and you saw that today too.”
Conor Laird – GSFN