Flick Relies on Raphinha Ahead of Valencia Clash
Barcelona head to Mestalla on Sunday with a clear prize in sight: top spot in La Liga, all to themselves, after Real Madrid’s slip against Real Betis. Hansi Flick, though, is not in the mood for experiments up front.
Jesus to be eased in
Jesus only landed from Arsenal on Tuesday. Flick likes what he has seen, but he is not about to throw the Brazilian straight into the fire.
“Of course, he is not 100% ready, but he is prepared to play for a few minutes. We will see how the match goes. It is good to see the way he has worked and how calm he is,” Flick said, as quoted by AS.
The message is clear: Jesus is an option off the bench, not the focal point of the attack yet. His role against Valencia will be limited, dictated by game state rather than reputation.
Raphinha up front, Hamza on hold
If anyone was hoping Hamza Abdelkarim might be fast-tracked into the No 9 role, Flick quickly shut that door. The German coach has already made up his mind about who leads the line right now.
“At this moment, I think he (Raphinha) is the best option,” Flick stated. “He initiates the dynamism of the play and the press and gives us speed. For me, he is the best option we have in this position at the moment.”
Raphinha’s numbers back him up. Five goals in three La Liga matches this season, more than any other player in the competition. He is not just filling a gap; he is defining Barcelona’s attacking edge.
Hamza, by contrast, has barely had a taste. Just four minutes in the recent match against Rayo Vallecano. For now, he waits, watching a fellow forward from Brazil turn chances into status.
Koundé’s versatility still in Flick’s plans
Up the pitch, the debate is about roles. At the back, it is about resilience and adaptability. Flick also took time to address the situation of Jules Koundé, who has not started matches so far this season but remains central to the coach’s thinking.
“He is an incredibly professional player,” Flick said. “He has not started the matches, but that represents a challenge for him. His task is to reach his best level, as he was in the 2024-2025 season. He can play well in both positions, but as is always the case, the team is the most important thing.”
Centre-back or full-back, Koundé’s flexibility gives Flick options as the season tightens and the fixtures pile up.
Barcelona now walk into Mestalla with a chance to seize the league lead, a winger reborn as a striker, a marquee signing waiting for rhythm, and a hungry youngster learning patience. How long that hierarchy holds will be written in the next 90 minutes.
