Barcelona is absolutely tearing it up heading into Champions League play, and seriously, this team is boasting the best striker in the world right now. How else do you explain scoring a ridiculous 17 goals and letting in only two across four league games? Nobody in the league is running up the score like this, not even with Ferran Torres and Robert Lewandowski having moved on.
Flick’s Bold Play: Raphinha’s Unleashed
Hansi Flick has always been about the unorthodox, but this one is wild. He moved Raphinha from the left wing right into the middle of the lineup, essentially making him the main man up top. This change lets Anthony Gordon get on the field, which is great, and it cuts down on Raphinha’s running. But the real kicker? Raphinha has bagged six goals in just four games! You’d think he’d been leading the line his whole career watching him play. His shot chart doesn’t even hint that this is the same guy who dropped 21 goals in all competitions last season while playing out on the wing. It’s truly a shift that’s paying off big.
Even when you look at what Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe are doing, Raphinha is somehow outscoring them as Barca gets ready to kick off their Champions League campaign against Feyenoord. Barcelona is absolutely in the mix to win the whole damn thing this season, and Raphinha’s early season heroics are a massive reason why. They haven’t won the Champions League since the 2014-15 season, and after winning LaLiga two seasons in a row, you know UCL success is the top, top goal for this squad. Flick has made them better, getting to at least the quarter-finals three seasons running, but Raphinha playing this way could be the key to breaking through and winning it all.
Deep Squad, Iron Wall Midfield
Scoring goals has never been an issue under Flick, so that’s not the surprise. What’s different now is the insane depth and balance this club has. That’s the real game-changer. Anthony Gordon can slot into any wing position, giving them incredible flexibility. And Karim Adeyemi? He comes off the bench to bring a spark, keeping the pressure on any team trying to claw their way back. But honestly, Barcelona isn’t even letting games get out of control, and that’s all thanks to their midfield.
That’s where Rodri comes in. He just joined Barcelona from Manchester City for almost $70 million, signing on until 2030, after winning the World Cup with a Spain squad that set defensive records, only allowing one goal the entire tournament. His impact is already massive. He’s marshalling the midfield and defense, putting everyone where they need to be, and turning every single ball won into a lightning-fast counter-attack. The guy is a machine.
Barcelona faces Feyenoord at Spotify Camp Nou this Wednesday, September 9, at 12:45 p.m. ET. The odds are heavily in Barca’s favor at -1205. With Raphinha playing like this and Rodri locking down the midfield, this team is looking more dangerous than they have in years. Get ready, this could be their year!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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