Barcelona superstar Raphinhaplaceholder image
Barcelona superstar Raphinha | Getty Images
Barcelona rested several key players before facing Newcastle United in the Champions League.
Raphinha has rested up and is now “feeling good” as he prepares to face Newcastle United.
Hansi Flick named the Brazilian on the bench as Barcelona beat Athletic Club 1-0 at the weekend. Lamine Yamal - who missed the clash at St James’ Park in September - produced the goods to maintain a four-point lead at the top of La Liga.
Raphinha played the final half an hour, having been named as a substitute due to fatigue. The 29-year-old was a reported Toon target during his time at Leeds United and is a key danger man for Eddie Howe’s men to stop.
‘I feel good’ - Raphinha
Speaking after Barca’s victory, Raphinha admitted to feeling fatigued but is now in better shape for the Champions League last 16. He said: “I am not as tired as some of the other players. After all, I am recovering from a minor injury, so I have had time to rest. I feel good.
“It is true that there is some fatigue from the last match because it was a very tough game, and that is normal. The most important thing is that we secured the three points.”
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Howe described the Barcelona fixture as the biggest in Newcastle’s history following the FA Cup defeat to Manchester City. He told reporters: “My focus is really short-term and it's trying to win the game that's in front of me and that's Barcelona in the Champions League.
“I think we have to be, as much as it's easy to be very negative in this moment and I understand we've gone out of the FA Cup but we have the biggest game in the club's history coming up in no time at all.
“We've got to get the players ready for that. We've got no time to dwell on this. We’ve never been in this position in the Champions League before,” Howe said. “And it's the best competition there is. So I think for obvious reasons, I think it's a massive game in our history. And we need to approach it that way.
“We need the supporters to think that way. And we need to try and find some energy from somewhere that will elevate our performance to a level that we've not seen before this season. Because I think that's the only way we'll get through.”
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