Raphinha has claimed that 'insults' aimed towards him from Benfica players sparked an altercation after Barcelona's thrilling Champions League win.

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• Barca won 5-4
• Raphinha scored injury-time winner
• Claims he was insulted

• Table of Contents

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Raphinha scored a 96th-minute winner in perhaps the most dramatic Champions League game in years on Tuesday evening. The Brazilian scored his second goal in injury time, as Barca came back from 3-1 and 4-2 down to win 5-4. Benfica coach Bruno Lage then ranted at his players on the pitch, before both sides headed down the tunnel, with Raphinha claiming that a fracas ensued.

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• AFP
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Per Mundo Deportivo, the clash between both Benfica and Barca players required police intervention, as officers attempted to calm both squads. Raphinha has now said that the altercation was sparked by "insults" aimed towards him.

• WHAT RAPHINHA SAID

  Raphinha told reporters: "I'm someone who respects everyone. When I was leaving the pitch, people were insulting me. I returned the insults. I know I shouldn't. It got heated with the Benfica players … they preferred to insult me.

  "I'm someone who doesn't let anything lie. I respect them if they respect me, but I don't shut up if they insult me. It's normal after an ending like that to a match."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Barcelona play Valencia on Sunday in La Liga before another Champions League clash with Atalanta. Raphinha is likely to play a starring role in both games as he continues to enjoy the best season of his career to date.

Tags: Futebol
Category: News