Barcelona captain Raphinha has insisted that his team's 4-2 UEFA Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain will not affect their preparations for Sunday's El Clásico against Real Madrid, maintaining that the Spanish champions demonstrated their ability to compete against Europe's leading teams despite the setback.
The Brazilian international made the remarks after Barcelona suffered their first defeat of the 2026/27 season at the Parc des Princes in Paris on Tuesday, October 20, ending their unbeaten start to the campaign.
Speaking to Movistar+ after the match, Raphinha acknowledged the quality of the opposition but maintained that Barcelona had shown enough during the encounter to remain confident ahead of their next fixture.
“We knew it could happen,” he said, referring to the possibility of suffering a defeat against the reigning European champions.
The forward explained that facing Paris Saint-Germain away from home presented a significant challenge, particularly against a side that had established itself among Europe's strongest teams.
Although Barcelona had hoped to secure at least a point, Raphinha argued that the result should not overshadow the positive aspects of their performance.
He stressed that the defeat represented three dropped points in the Champions League league phase rather than a setback that should undermine the team's confidence.
The Brazilian also praised PSG's organisation and tactical discipline, acknowledging that the French side had presented Barcelona with a demanding test.
Despite conceding four goals, he maintained that Barcelona competed effectively during significant periods of the encounter.
“It was a good test and shows we can compete,” Raphinha said.
The match saw PSG take the lead through Désiré Doué in the 38th minute before Barcelona responded through 19-year-old Xavi Espart.
Espart's equaliser came during his first Champions League start, providing an important moment for the young player in a demanding European fixture.
Barcelona subsequently enjoyed a stronger period of possession, with Lamine Yamal becoming increasingly influential in the visitors' attacking play.
However, PSG regained the advantage through Lucas Hernández in the 72nd minute before eventually securing a 4-2 victory.
The defeat marked Barcelona's third consecutive loss against PSG, raising further questions about their ability to overcome the French champions in European competition.
Nevertheless, Raphinha insisted that the team should focus on learning from the match rather than allowing the result to influence their preparations for Real Madrid.
Asked whether the defeat would affect Sunday's El Clásico, the Barcelona captain replied that it would not.
His comments reflected a determination to separate the disappointment of the Champions League result from the demands of the forthcoming domestic fixture.
Barcelona will host Real Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday, October 25, in one of the most closely followed matches in Spanish football.
The encounter provides Hansi Flick's side with an immediate opportunity to respond to their European defeat.
Raphinha said the players would assess the PSG performance with their manager and identify areas requiring improvement before facing their traditional rivals.
His confidence was also supported by his assessment of his own physical condition after returning to Barcelona's starting lineup.
The Brazilian had completed less than a week of training before the PSG encounter, prompting the coaching staff to manage his playing time.
He was substituted in the 60th minute, a decision he explained had been agreed upon as part of his return to full fitness.
Raphinha said he finished the match feeling physically strong and intended to continue improving his condition before El Clásico.
His availability will be important for Barcelona as they prepare for another demanding fixture just five days after their European encounter.
The forward also addressed concerns surrounding midfielder Dani Olmo, who was forced off during the PSG match.
Raphinha said he did not know the full circumstances of Olmo's injury and expected further information following discussions with the coaching and medical staff.
The midfielder's condition adds to the selection issues facing Flick, whose team travelled to Paris without defenders Eric García and Jules Koundé because of injuries.
Barcelona also made changes in midfield, with Marc Bernal starting ahead of Rodri.
Despite the defensive absences and the defeat, Flick expressed encouragement about several aspects of his team's performance.
The German coach acknowledged that PSG had been the stronger side but said Barcelona had demonstrated qualities that could be developed in subsequent matches.
“We need to analyse the match,” Flick said, while emphasising that he had identified positive elements in his team's display.
His assessment was consistent with Raphinha's insistence that the result should not damage Barcelona's confidence.
The match also highlighted the challenge of competing against opponents capable of exploiting defensive spaces and maintaining attacking pressure.
Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García made several important saves during the opening half, preventing PSG from establishing a greater advantage before the interval.
His performance demonstrated the pressure Barcelona faced, particularly during periods when PSG controlled possession and created opportunities.
However, the visitors also showed attacking quality, particularly after Espart's equaliser, when they began to establish greater control of the ball.
Yamal's contribution during the second half offered another encouraging sign for Barcelona as they prepare to face Real Madrid.
The young winger helped create attacking opportunities and provided a significant threat during Barcelona's strongest period of the match.
The defeat therefore presented Flick with both tactical concerns and positive performances to consider ahead of Sunday's fixture.
For Raphinha, the immediate priority is ensuring that the players recover physically and mentally before returning to domestic competition.
Barcelona entered the PSG match with a perfect record across all competitions this season, making the defeat their first major setback of the campaign.
Although the result ended that run, it does not determine their prospects in either the Champions League or La Liga.
The Champions League's league-phase format provides further opportunities to accumulate points, while Barcelona's domestic campaign continues with the high-profile meeting against Real Madrid.
The significance of El Clásico extends beyond the rivalry between the two clubs, with results often influencing the direction of the La Liga title race.
Both teams will approach the fixture seeking to strengthen their positions in the competition.
Raphinha's comments indicate that Barcelona intend to approach the match without allowing the defeat in Paris to dictate their expectations.
The captain believes the performance against PSG provided evidence that the team can compete against elite opposition, even though the final result exposed areas requiring improvement.
As Barcelona prepare for Sunday's encounter, attention will focus on Flick's tactical adjustments, the availability of injured players and the physical condition of those returning to action.
For Raphinha, however, the message remains clear: Barcelona must learn from their European defeat, recover quickly and concentrate fully on the challenge presented by Real Madrid.
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