Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernández has provided an insight into his decision to reintroduce Raphinha to his starting XI, in place of Lamine Yamal.
Barca, of course, marked their return to action a short time ago.
Turning attentions back towards matters on the domestic front, the Blaugrana played host to Getafe, in a La Liga clash.
And what followed marked one of the club’s best performances of the season, en route to an eventual 4-0 triumph.
The aforementioned Raphinha, meanwhile, played a central role, opening the scoring in Montjuïc, before laying on Frenkie de Jong for his side’s third of the evening.
This came on the Brazilian’s return to starting duties for Barcelona, introduced in place of Lamine Yamal on the right flank.
Speaking to the media post-match, the aforementioned Xavi, in turn, was drawn on what inspired his decision to shake things up out wide.
And the Spaniard went on to cite the ‘spaces in behind’ as key:
“The key today was to attack the spaces in behind the defence. That is why Raphinha played over Lamine today.”
Conor Laird | GSFN
