Barcelona midfield icon gives his take on Raphinha-Ter Stegen drama – ‘I’m sure the two…’ | OneFootball

Former Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic shared his thoughts on his former club ahead of their crucial UEFA Champions League quarter-final match against Borussia Dortmund.

Rakitic, who knows the inner workings of the Barça dressing room well, touched on several key issues, including a discussion about Fermin Lopez’s inclusion in the starting XI and an incident between Raphinha and Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Speaking on the Raphinha-Ter Stegen feud

Rakitic, who played with Ter Stegen during his time at Barcelona, was asked about the alleged confrontation between the goalkeeper and Raphinha.

He admitted that while he was not privy to the specifics of the argument, his knowledge of Ter Stegen made him believe the matter would have been dealt with behind closed doors.

“I would have liked to see what happened in the dressing room because, knowing Marc, the discussion continued off-camera,” Rakitic stated.

Rakitic commented on Raphinha’s action. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

Despite the drama, Rakitic was quick to downplay the situation, assuring that any tension would have been resolved quickly.

“I’m sure the two of them came to an agreement for the good of the team,” he added, emphasising the importance of unity in such a high-pressure environment.

Meanwhile, Rakitic was cautious not to overlook the unpredictability of the UEFA Champions League, referencing Real Madrid’s recent struggles as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in football.

“We already saw what happened with Real Madrid,” he said, a subtle reminder that anything can happen in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Lastly, Rakitic also weighed in on Fermin Lopez’s role in the starting lineup, calling it “interesting,” suggesting that Barcelona’s tactical flexibility was something to keep an eye on as the match approached.

Following his comments, Barcelona went on to dismantle Borussia Dortmund 4-0, with goals coming from Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski (brace) and Lamine Yamal.

Source: SPORT