Raphinha insists defeat to PSG doesn't affect Barça ahead of Clásico
After FC Barcelona's 4-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, Raphinha has insisted the setback doesn't affect the team ahead of the Clásico against Real Madrid, according to several media outlets.
FC Barcelona lost 4-2 to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday in the Champions League. This defeat constitutes the first setback of the season for the Catalan club, according to Maxifoot. Interviewed after the match, Brazilian forward Raphinha was keen to play down the impact of this result on the rest of the season.
A defeat without consequence for the Clásico
According to Terra, Raphinha stated that the defeat against PSG does not shake Barça ahead of the Clásico. The Brazilian media outlet reports that the player responded to the question of whether this result affects the team for the match against Real Madrid. According to Metrópoles, Raphinha declared that this defeat does not affect the classic against the Merengues.
FC Barcelona will indeed face Real Madrid on Sunday, October 25, as part of the 10th round of the Spanish Championship, specifies Metrópoles. This fixture is now at the centre of the Catalan club's concerns.
A first setback of the season
Maxifoot highlights that this defeat against Paris Saint-Germain is the first of the season for FC Barcelona. The Catalan club had so far avoided any setback, and this disappointment in the Champions League comes just days before a major meeting in the league.
Raphinha, who spoke after the match, therefore sought to reassure about the group's state of mind. The Brazilian's comments, reported by several media outlets, indicate that the defeat does not dent the team's confidence ahead of the trip or the home game against Real Madrid, depending on the schedule.
FC Barcelona will nonetheless have to confirm this serenity on the pitch on Sunday against their Madrid rivals.
