Rafinha: Barcelona's form isn't worrisome

Not excesively concerned ahead of upcoming Clasico

Posted Thursday, December 01, 2016 by Marca.com

Handed the captain's armband for the Copa del Rey Round of 32 clash against Hercules, Rafinha thought a 1-1 draw against the Segunda B side didn't warrent any panicking, at least not yet.

With the Clasico just days away, consecutive draws have meant doubts are beginning to surround the club, and not just in terms of results but actual play.

"Barcelona's form isn't worrisome," a confident Rafinha said after the Hercules match. "Our opponent defended with a back five and we still had our chances - we'll have to be better."

The Alicante side's gameplan flustered the Blaugrana, and though it was nothing new, the defensive approach wasn't broken down despite the obvious gulf in quality.

"They closed down space in the back which made it really difficult for us," he said. "When a team is defending deep, we have to shoot more from outside the box, which is what Carles Alena did.

"I'm really happy for him [Alena]."

Leaving an unconvincing first leg aside, the midfielder looked ahead to the Clasico.

"We reach the game with the motivation a match of that magnitude deserves," Rafinha concluded.