Raphinha Relieved, Barcelona Beat Bayern Munich To Revenge

Raphinha became an actor Barcelona beat Bayern Munich for revenge (Instagram/@raphinha).

JAKARTA - Barcelona won 4-1 over Bayern Munich on the third matchday of the 2024/2025 Champions League, Thursday, October 24, 2024, early morning WIB.

Raphinha said Bayern's crushing defeat was revenge for fans for previous results.

Raphinha starred by scoring a hat trick on his 100th appearance for Barca.

"In my opinion, it is revenge for the fans. For us inside, the players, we don't see the past."

"We focus on the next game. However, I also suffered in those matches as a fan."

"It was an amazing and special night, scoring (three goals) in my 100th game for the club. I am very happy with the performance and the way we play."

"As a team, we played very well and that's the most important thing for me. Winning the second win in the Champions League is important," said Raphinha as reported by ESPN.

Raphinha was clearly emotional about the win. You see, when Barcelona were massacred 2-8 at Camp Nou in the 2019/2020 season, he was still a fan of the Blaugrana, not yet part of the team.

He opened the scoring when he had only been running for a minute. However, Harry Kane equalized in the 18th minute and marked his 14th goal of the season in all competitions for Munich.

Robert Lewandowski returned Barca's lead before halftime. Then, two more goals from Raphinha in the second half made Azulgrana get full points in the match which he said could happen again in the Champions League final this season.

"I said before the game, this could be the Champions League final. Maybe not everyone agrees with me, but I think so."

"So, I can win in this way, in front of our fans, it's really special and I'm very happy," he said.

Raphinha, who captained Barca that night, has now scored nine goals and six assists in all competitions in his third season with the Blaugrana. He was named MVP by UEFA for his performance.

"I will give (MVP) awards to my son. It will be another trophy for him, even though he prefers the ball."

"However, it was a trophy that showed me what I could do in the Champions League."

"Since I joined, I've always dreamed of having nights like this, scoring goals, playing in these games, and making differences."

Victory over Bayern Munich has stopped Barcelona's record of always losing Barcelona in the previous six meetings in the Champions League.

The Blaugrana last won over FC Hollywood in the 2014/2015 Champions League season.

Not only that, the victory also improved Barca's meeting record against Munich to three wins, one draw, and 10 defeats.

Meanwhile, this victory put Barca in perfect condition ahead of the meeting with La Liga tough rivals, Real Madrid, on Sunday, October 27, 2024.

If they win at the Santiago Bernabeu in the El Clasico duel, Barca could widen the gap to six points at the top of the standings.