Raphinha Transforms Barcelona into a Title Contender
Hansi Flick went hunting for a striker this summer and came back with something else entirely: the centre-forward version of Raphinha. So far, it looks inspired.
After Barcelona failed in their bid to prise Julian Alvarez away from Atletico Madrid, Flick ripped up the obvious script. With Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres gone, the German coach pushed the former Leeds United winger into the middle. Not as a stopgap. As the reference point of a new-look attack.
Five games, eight goals. Top of LaLiga. A perfect start in Europe. The gamble already feels like a plan.
“On another level”
Speaking before Sunday’s trip to Levante, Flick didn’t bother to hide his admiration for the 29-year-old Brazilian.
“Rapha has played fantastic. He is on another level – he’s unbelievable,” the Barça head coach said. “When he’s like this, he’s, for me, one of the best players in the world.”
Raphinha has become the spearhead of a frontline that has ripped through the opening weeks of the season. Four straight league wins, a midweek Champions League victory, and a new attacking structure that looks both fluid and ruthless.
To his right and left, Lamine Yamal, Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi stretch and torment defences. Through the middle, Raphinha finishes the moves and knits them together. On current form, it is one of the most intimidating trios anywhere in Europe.
Options everywhere
Flick, though, is determined to make this more than a one-man show.
“Raphinha, Gabby and Hamza are three different profiles, but there are other ways we could play,” he explained. “Anthony and Karim can also play in this position. Or Dani Olmo. Dani has showed us in last two years he can play there – the same with Fermin Lopez. We have a lot of options.”
That depth is Flick’s security blanket. If opponents lock onto Raphinha, Barcelona can change the picture in an instant: wingers inside, midfielders high, false nine, or pure runner in behind. The names are different, the threat remains.
Yet right now, everything still revolves around the Brazilian’s form. His movement drags centre-backs out of shape, his finishing punishes the slightest hesitation. He looks nothing like a makeshift striker. He looks like he has been doing this his entire career.
Defence sets the platform
The headlines belong to Raphinha and Yamal, but Flick’s satisfaction runs deeper. Barcelona are not just winning; they are controlling games in a way that makes the attacking fireworks possible.
The German singled out Pau Cubarsi as the symbol of that shift. The teenager has nailed down his place in a backline that has conceded only three goals this season, giving the forwards a platform to attack without fear.
“When I see the xG we have in every game, it’s good, but also the xG against us is much better than last season. It helps us a lot,” Flick said.
“For me, after the World Cup, [Cubarsi] played fantastic. For me, he’s playing on another level at the moment. I am really happy he has the confidence, but also he’s very focused. With the body, he also improved physically. This is very important, especially for this position. Also with the ball, he’s playing really good, which helps us a lot, so amazing about that.”
Those numbers matter to Flick. Fewer chances conceded, cleaner structures, a young centre-back growing into the role with composure and bite. The more solid Cubarsi and the rest of the defence become, the more freedom Raphinha and his supporting cast enjoy higher up the pitch.
Perfect record on the line
Barcelona head to Levante on Sunday defending a 100 per cent record and a fragile early advantage at the top. They sit two points clear of Alaves and three ahead of Real Madrid, who have already stumbled once.
The squad news offers no excuses. Flick confirmed there are no new injury issues after their European outing. Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji remain the only long-term absentees.
Everything else is in place: form, confidence, clarity of roles. A coach who has reshaped his attack on the fly. A winger reborn as a No 9 and playing “on another level”.
Now comes the real question: how long can Raphinha keep dragging this Barcelona side with him at the pace of a title-winning team?
