Flick eases Raphinha’s injury fears after Barcelona comeback win | OneFootball

Hansi Flick praised his Barcelona side for their resilience after they came from behind to secure three points against Real Oviedo, while easing concerns over Raphinha.

Barça fell behind in the 33rd minute following a mistake from goalkeeper Joan Garcia. The hosts punished his error to take a first-half lead.

Eric Garcia equalised for Flick’s team in the 56th minute, igniting the comeback, and the Blaugranas proceeded to dominate the second half with control.

Substitute Robert Lewandowski struck in the 70th minute before Ronald Araujo sealed the victory with an 88th-minute goal.

Raphinha was substituted in the 65th minute, raising concerns among fans. Flick, however, was quick to calm nerves about the Brazilian’s condition.

Manager highlights impact of substitutions

First of all, when asked about Raphinha, who was substituted, he stated, ‘I think he is fine. We will have to wait until tomorrow, but I think he is fine,” Flick told reporters.

Turning to the match itself, Flick credited Frenkie de Jong and Lewandowski with changing the game after coming on as substitutes.

“That is why they are here in the team,” he said. “In the first half we played well, even though they scored, but we had a lot of chances.

“In the second half I told them we had to keep going, play calmly, and be confident in playing with the ball, and we did well.

“Of course, we made the substitutions at the right time, with Frenkie and Lewy, and we were able to earn three points.”

Flick praises control but wants set-piece improvement

The Barcelona coach was happy with his team’s possession play but admitted set pieces must improve if they are to break down defensive opponents.

“It is always important. They defended very well, they tried to block every shot, and when you play against a team like that, it is not easy, so in situations like that, you need set pieces.”

Flick also defended goalkeeper Garcia, insisting mistakes are part of their playing style and emphasising his importance to the back line.

“it’s the style we want him to play, and it can happen, that’s what I have to say. He’s a fantastic goalkeeper, the one who defends our back line, and he always does it very well. It was a mistake, and they took advantage of it, but it’s football, and the important thing is that we won.”

On his midfielders, he added: “De Jong and Pedri are two very important players and you can see that with them we control the ball more.”

The victory lifts Barcelona to second in the table, just two points behind leaders Real Madrid, with five wins and one draw so far.