Tensions are rising within the Barcelona squad, with Hansi Flick reportedly becoming a divisive figure, even among senior players. A key incident highlighting the internal strife occurred after the Real Betis match, when Marc-André ter Stegen and Raphinha Dias clashed on the field. Frustrated by a decision from the assistant referee, Raphinha aggressively confronted him and signaled for silence, a gesture that sparked immediate disapproval from Ter Stegen.
The German goalkeeper attempted to calm the visibly angry Raphinha and urged him to leave the pitch to avoid suspension. However, Raphinha responded by shoving Ter Stegen, escalating the situation and prompting a more direct confrontation between the two.
Former Barcelona player Ivan Rakitić later suggested that the conflict carried over into the locker room, where the tension reportedly intensified, leading to a breakdown in communication between the players. This rift was evident during the Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund, when Ter Stegen chose not to celebrate Raphinha’s opening goal — a crucial contribution in Barcelona’s push toward their first semifinal since 2019 — despite watching from the stands due to a knee injury.
Ter Stegen’s frustration grew further when Raphinha controversially stole a goal from Pau Cubarsí, nearly causing it to be ruled offside. The Brazilian winger drew heavy criticism from analysts for being inconsiderate, especially after physically confronting Ter Stegen while aware of his injury, and for acting selfishly by interfering with a goal-bound ball that denied his teammate a potential score.
