Raphinha reacts after ‘MVP’ performance in Barcelona 1-0 Las Palmas

After a two-week lay off due to international duty, Barcelona returned to action at the Olympic Montjuic Stadium to take on Las Palmas.

With several players out due to injury, Xavi had to make changes to his defence and midfield. The chemistry, or the lack thereof, was evident as the game descended into chaos from the first minute.

However, Barcelona looked the dominant side of the two, creating some chances, and eventually finding the net through Raphinha, which was incorrectly brought back for offside.

Speaking on the controversial call, the Brazilian said, “I think the first goal was wrongly disallowed. To be honest, I don’t know why the referee disallowed it.”

Raphinha eventually made amends in other ways, though. Firstly, he was responsible for the sending off of Palmas goalkeeper Alvaro Valles in the first-half, and then ended up scoring the winner in the second-half.

Real Madrid’s lead at the top of the table has now been cut down to five points, with nine matches to go. Raphinha, for one, seemed optimistic about their fighting chances.

“These are three important points. We will keep fighting. We will not give up on La liga until it is over,” he said.

While he converted one of his chances, Raphinha did have an opportunity earlier in the game when a cutback from Joao Cancelo fell perfectly to his left-foot but was squandered.

Robert Lewandowski and Joao Felix also had chances to increase the deficit, but neither was able to convert them successfully.

“An important win, but the result is small compared to what we saw on the pitch. In the first-half we had several big chances,” Raphinha added later.

Barcelona now have ten days to prepare for the first-leg against PSG in the Champions League quarter-finals at the Parc des Princes, and if today is any indication, Raphinha could be one of the difference-maker on the day.

Source: MARCA