Brazilian forward Raphinha constantly punched the seat of Marcos Alonso in a situation of rage after he was substituted in the encounter against Manchester United.
The battle in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League match at the Nou Camp involving Manchester United and Barcelona finished 2-2 after the former Leeds United man restored parity for the Spanish club.
However, following his substitution for Ferran Torres on the 83rd minute, Raphinha was in disgust at the decision of his gaffer to sub him off.
The Barcelona forward showed his resentment by lashing onto Marcos Alonso’s seat.
Afterward, he tendered his apology to the coach Xavi Hernandez later at full-time following the incident and his body language.
But Xavi Hernandez poured cold water on the action as he was not annoyed with the Brazilian due to how he perceived it.
Xavi Hernandez comments on the actions of Raphinha
Xavi Hernandez said: “I see and understand Raphinha’s anger, I was also angry. I make the changes thinking about the team and not to point fingers at anyone.
“Raphinha has apologised to me but he didn’t have to. I see it as a positive that everyone wants to play.”
Marcus Alonso fired the first salvo as he headed home to put Barcelona one goal ahead on the 50th minute but minutes after Marcus Rashford hit back to restore parity.
Marcus Rashford in his devastating form also had a hand in putting Manchester United in front as his cross deflected off the body of Jules Kounde before it made his way to the net.
Barcelona later responded to level matters as a cross from Raphinha rolled its way into the goal post of Manchester United.
Ten Hag assertions on the match
The manager of Manchester United had excellent words to say about the match as he asserted that the encounter was appropriate for UEFA Champions League football.
Ten Hag said: “I think we dictated the game. Apart from maybe 15 minutes of the first half, we had some difficulties, but for the rest, we dictated the game and we outplayed [them], so many chances, so I was a little bit disappointed that in half-time it was 0-0 because we should have scored.
“The opportunities they had, we created by ourselves. But I think it was a great game, two attacking teams, I think it was really Champions League [level] and even more than that.
“So I really enjoyed the game a lot. In the end, 2-2, and we have to finish it at Old Trafford.”
It’s the beautiful game of football and sometimes emotions keeps running high as a result of the passion attached to the round leather game.
Many go through moments of a rush of blood to the head and it seems Raphinha had a taste of that in the enthralling game at Camp Nou on Thursday.
