Why Raphinha was taken off at half-time in Barcelona vs Getafe | OneFootball

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has provided an insight into the reasoning behind his decision to haul Raphinha off early in the club’s latest outing.

Barcelona were of course back in action on Sunday evening.

Turning focus back towards matters on the domestic front, the Blaugrana welcomed Getafe to Catalunya’s capital for a La Liga clash.

The aforementioned Raphinha for his part featured from the off in the matchup, replacing the absent Lamine Yamal on the right wing.

And the Brazilian went on to play an important role in a 3-0 Barca triumph, laying on the assist for his side’s 2nd of the evening.

With 45 minutes on the clock, however, Raphinha was somewhat surprisingly hooked from proceedings.

Speaking to the media in the game’s aftermath, Hansi Flick, in turn, was asked for an explanation for the former Leeds United man’s early withdrawal.

And Barcelona’s headmaster went on to explain:

“We decided to change Raphinha at half-time because he had a yellow card and we didn’t want to risk losing him for the next match. We planned to bring on Rashford, who can play as a right winger, but I think he prefers to play as a left winger or as a number 9.”

Conor Laird – GSFN