Barcelona miss Raphinha

Barcelona are floundering. After a promising start, Hansi Flick’s side are starting to lose control in both La Liga and the Champions League. They are no longer title contenders and have fallen into mid-table. Defensive problems, a lack of connection in midfield and a drop in attacking output paint a bleak picture.

One of the most obvious reasons was Raphinha’s absence. The Brazilian was out for three weeks with an injury and his impact on the team was clear as day. Barcelona won six and drew one of Raphinha’s seven games. They scored 21 goals and conceded just five.

When the former Leeds United player left the squad, the results immediately reversed: eight games, four wins, one draw, three losses. Barca's attack still scored 19 goals but the defense conceded 15.

The numbers don’t lie. Raphinha is an irreplaceable force. He not only scores and assists, but also attracts the attention of the opposition defence, creating space for Lamine Yamal or Pedri.

When Raphinha is present, the combinations on the wings become more diverse, fast and decisive. When he is absent, Barcelona play slower, lack depth and lose the dynamism on the right wing.

Before his injury against Oviedo, Raphinha had scored three goals and provided two assists. Flick sees him as the most important player in his pressing system.

Raphinha was the first to rush forward, forcing his opponents to make mistakes. His intensity was much higher than Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal or Rashford. Thanks to that, Barcelona maintained a balance between attack and defense.

Without Raphinha, Barca loses strength.

Not only speed or technique, Raphinha also brings spirit. He fights to the end in every dispute, always shouting and urging his teammates. When the South American star is not there, Barcelona looks weak and lacks spirit. The attack loses pressure, the defense is easily broken by simple counter-attacks.

The 3-3 draw against Club Brugge in the Champions League was a case in point. Barça’s defence was in disarray, the offside trap was out of sync, and the forwards refused to drop back to support. That’s rare when Raphinha is present.

Flick knows that gap well. He does not hide his impatience waiting for his players to return from the international break. During the open training session at Spotify Camp Nou, Raphinha was still on the sidelines, told not to take any risks. Barcelona need him, but cannot afford to gamble again after his injury relapsed just before El Clasico.

Three weeks without Raphinha has left Barcelona without a piece of its soul. His return will not only be a reinforcement, but the start of a revival. For Flick, it could be the light at the end of the tunnel in a season that is slipping away.

Source: https://znews.vn/barcelona-dang-nho-raphinha-post1600950.html