Hansi Flick issues lateness penalty to Barcelona star | OneFootball

Barcelona powered back to La Liga action with a superb 6-0 home win over Valencia at the Estadi Johan Cruyff.

Despite the frustration of not being able to host Los Che at the Camp Nou, Hansi Flick’s team made light work of their visitors, to return to winning ways.

After drawing 1-1 at Rayo Vallecano before the September international break, Flick’s charges had slipped behind Real Madrid in the overall rankings, but this was a show of strength back n Catalonia.

Two goals each for Fermin Lopez and substitute pair Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski secured a sensational result over Valencia.

Flick’s call not to start the latter two came on the back of busy international breaks with Brazil and Poland as the former secured their spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

However, tiredness and travel was just one aspect of Flick’s decision, with Marca claiming Raphinha was benched due to lateness.

Flick punishes Raphinha for missing Barcelona training return

Flick afforded certain players an extra rest day, after landing back in Spain, but Raphinha was late to Barcelona’s final training session before facing Valencia.

Image via Diario Sport / X

The former Bayern Munich boss has a zero tolerance for lateness and non-compliance to schedules involving the team as illustrated previously with Jules Kounde and Inaki Pena.

The trick worked perfectly for both parties, as Raphinha laid a marker down on his determination to remain as a starter, and that looks to be matched by Flick’s plans for him.

Up next for Barcelona is the start of their UEFA Champions League campaign away at Premier League side Newcastle United on September 18.

Raphinha is on course to start against the Magpies but Flick will make a late call on Lewandowski after indicating he is happy with the competition for a starting spot between his regular No.9 and the in form Ferran Torres.