Give credit to Sevilla for giving Barcelona a true test on Saturday at their always hostile home ground.
Unlike Racing Santander, for example, Los Rojiblancos were organized and very tough to break down. After going ahead 1-0 in the 19th minute, it was clear that they had Barcelona on their heels.
Just moments later, however, Raphinha equalized and took all the momentum away. It was a goal that highlights how the Brazilian has become so effective as the Blaugrana’s makeshift striker. Good movement,
followed by cool and calm inside of the box to find the back of the net.
From there, Barcelona were able to go into half-time with the game level, and made the adjustments needed to keep Sevilla at a distance throughout the second half.
Two more goals were to follow for Raphinha. A header that was the result of Lamine Yamal’s creative genius, but also because Raphinha is so good at making the right runs. To cap off the hat-trick, once again, Raphinha slipped behind the Sevilla defenders, received a perfectly weighted pass from Lamine, and made the finishing look like second nature.
That makes it 12 goals in 7 games this La Liga season. Barca fans already had a lot of love for Raphinha, but no one can say in good faith that they saw this Ballon d’Or caliber run of form coming. Not even Hansi Flick who made the call to give Raphinha the new position.
Let’s remember one thing though. When Raphinha went down injured last Spring while playing for Brazil, it derailed Barcelona’s chances in the Champions League.
When Raphinha was taken off in the 76th minute, it wasn’t just to give him a rest, it was to see if Anthony Gordon could fill in well as the center forward if needed.
Right now, Flick is thrilled with his team’s performances, but he is also asking himself a whole bunch of what ifs.
What if, for whatever reason, Raphinha isn’t available? Who do I turn to?
Even if Raphinha is available, the manager will want to know he can rotate, and the team will still find a way to score goals and win games. The show must go on.
Barcelona can’t become dependent on any player. They added a lot of depth over the summer, and Flick must use it strategically.
I wonder if we’ll see more of Gabriel Jesus and Hamza Abdelkarim after the international break. I hope so. Flick must put his faith in the backups, so they can pick up form and confidence.
In the meantime, Barcelona can thank Raphinha for their undefeated record. It’s been a team effort for sure, but the captain is the heart and soul of the enterprise.
Appreciate him, but also protect him.
Barcelona’s success this season may be more dependent than we’d like to admit on their new center forward.
