Barcelona captain Raphinha has insisted that the club’s 4-2 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain will not affect Sunday’s El Clásico against Real Madrid.

According to a post by football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on X on Wednesday, Raphinha was asked after the match at the Parc des Princes whether the defeat could affect the high-profile La Liga encounter. The Brazilian responded clearly: “No.”

Raphinha played down the result, stressing that Barcelona had competed well against the back-to-back European champions on their home ground.

He noted that the team had only dropped three points, adding that their attention had already shifted to preparations for Real Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou.

The forward also suggested that Barcelona could face PSG again in the Champions League this season.

He said, “There are big chances of meeting PSG on our way again in UCL this season.

“Why not? They are back to back champions and we want to win the UCL, two top teams fighting for the title… there are good possibilities.”

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick also expressed confidence in the squad’s readiness for Sunday’s encounter, explaining that he had deliberately rested midfielder Rodri against PSG.

He said, “Yes. He played a lot of minutes with the national team, also,” Flick said. “At the end, Rodri is fresh for Sunday.”

Barcelona will now turn their attention to the Clásico as they seek to put the defeat in Paris behind them ahead of the meeting with their fierce rivals.