What Role Is Raphinha Playing In Barcelona’s Champions League Campaign?

‎Barcelona faces Inter Milan in a highly anticipated Champions League semi-final second leg on Tuesday.

‎Raphinha’s recent contributions have been crucial in Barcelona’s impressive European run, keeping the tie very close.

‎In the first leg, his powerful shot hit the crossbar and deflected off goalkeeper Yann Sommer for an own goal, though the stats didn’t fully highlight his influence.

‎Despite that, his Champions League numbers are spectacular and a just representation of the key part Raphinha forms of Hansi Flick’s relentless attacking machine.

‎Raphinha has netted 12 goals in 13 European matches and provided nine additional assists, including his involvement in Sommer’s own goal, bringing his total goal contributions to 21.

‎Meanwhile, Inter Milan has scored 22 goals as a team throughout the entire competition. The 28-year-old’s impressive tally has surpassed Lionel Messi’s previous best of 19 direct goal involvements in a single Champions League campaign with Barcelona.

‎Over the season, the former Leeds winger has 31 goals and 25 assists in 52 games across all competitions, as Barcelona targets a potential quadruple, with the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup already in the bag.

‎Barcelona’s nearing the Champions League final owes much of its success, in large part, to Raphinha’s impressive rise in his third season at the club.

‎The Brazilian winger credits his revival to coach Hansi Flick, saying that his development has been significantly influenced by the German coach.

‎”The truth is he changed practically everything for me,” said Raphinha in April.

‎”I was going to leave the club before the season started; the coach was so important in changing my mind for me to stay at the club.

‎”He gave me all the confidence possible for me to do what I am doing, he changed everything, he basically changed my career.

‎”I’m doing my best, my best season since I started playing and I owe it all to him.”

‎Raphinha Hard work

‎Barcelona signed Raphinha in July 2022, using financial ‘palancas’ like selling future television income to fund the transfer.

‎He was proud of his efforts but also frustrated by inconsistency throughout the season. Despite this, Raphinha contributed to Barcelona’s La Liga triumph, netting 10 goals under coach Xavi Hernandez.

‎The following year was disappointing for both Raphinha and Barcelona, as he and the club failed to build on their progress and ended up trophyless.

‎Raphinha struck 10 goals again across all competitions but Lamine Yamal’s emergence on the right, in his favoured spot, left him facing a potential exit.

‎The financially tight Catalans were open to selling Raphinha, thanks to his Premier League background, which made him an attractive target for many suitors, including interest from the Saudi Pro League.

‎While Barcelona also showed interest in Spain and Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams, Raphinha was persuaded to remain at the club by coach Hansi Flick and quickly adapted to playing on the left wing.

‎Raphinha’s work-rate suits Flick’s high-pressing game perfectly, although even the German would not have imagined he would become a Ballon d’Or contender during the season of his career.

‎”Raphinha is very important. I love him, like the other players, but he is a leader; he always has that positive thinking that he manages to pass on to the rest of his teammates,” said Flick after the winger helped Barca make a late comeback against Celta Vigo in April.

‎He trails Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy by one goal in the Champions League scoring charts, and it almost came against Inter but for the crossbar.

‎Raphinha set up Ferran Torres’ goal in that thrilling game and again showed the kind of drive to improve which makes him so valuable in Flick’s young side.

‎”It is unacceptable to concede so many goals at home,” he said, never shy of speaking his mind.

‎Following Yamal’s standout performance in the first leg, all attention now turns to Raphinha, who will continue tirelessly working on the left flank at the San Siro. He will aim to play his role flawlessly as Barcelona eyes their first appearance in the final since 2015.

‎Raphinha remains determined to keep pushing forward in their quest for European glory.