Barca wins thanks to Raphinha's unique quality

15/12/2025 14:23:00 SportScoop

Against Osasuna's "concrete block," Barca was stuck despite having up to 80% ball possession. In this scenario, Raphinha stood out as a tireless warrior.

Raphinha, together with Pedri, has become an essential part helping Barcelona accelerate in La Liga with a run of 7 consecutive wins by at least 2 goals, something not seen since 2017.

Raphinha’s Determination

Under the lights of Camp Nou, on a night when the goal came late and patience was tested to the extreme, Raphinha once again demonstrated why he is not just a skilled winger but has become a spiritual icon for Barcelona under Hansi Flick. His two goals against Osasuna secured 3 points, confirming his leadership role, his comeback from injury, and a player who never accepts standing still amid doubts.

Barcelona entered the match dominating completely: over 80% ball possession, 13 shots in the first half, while Osasuna packed their defense very deep. A solid concrete block, barely anyone crossed the halfway line. But these figures only tell half the story. The other half was a sense of frustration, a lack of rhythm in ball movement, and a scoreline that didn’t budge. At that time, Raphinha was neither rushed nor irritated. He conversed with Lamine Yamal during a quiet moment in the game, as if understanding that the issue was not impatience but timing.

That moment came midway through the second half, when Pedri controlled the match like a precise clock, and Raphinha, the captain and emotional leader, finished it off. The opening goal was a very "Raphinha" moment: smart movement, a neat finish from Pedri’s central pass, simple and unpretentious. The second goal showed decisiveness and killer instinct, ending all debates: he was near the goal, slotting the ball in as an Osasuna defender slipped. These two goals were a meaningful 29th birthday present (December 14) that Rafa gave himself after more than two months struggling with injury.

For Hansi Flick, Raphinha transcends tactical choices. He regards the Brazilian as a core player of the team. "Rafa is an extremely important element," Flick stressed. Against Osasuna, Flick moved Raphinha to the center, away from his usual left wing. This was a decision based on trust. He believed in Raphinha’s game intelligence, work rate, and constant movement spirit, even though the Brazilian star usually excels more on the left flank. When Raphinha left the pitch, Flick embraced him tightly, a rare gesture but one full of meaning. "Raphinha scoring two goals is very important for us and also crucial for him to take another step forward," Flick admitted.

Raphinha Brings a Difference to Barca

The path was far from easy. At the end of September, a right hamstring injury, along with a relapse, kept Raphinha off the field for 58 days. Barca clearly felt the void he left. When Raphinha or Lamine Yamal were missing, Marcus Rashford had to shoulder more responsibility for scoring and assisting. Rashford adapted quickly and made an impact, but when Raphinha returned, the familiar order was restored. Not because Rashford was inferior, but because Raphinha brings different qualities to Barcelona, such as endurance, relentless pressing, and leadership through actions.

Raphinha’s Progress

"I try to contribute both in attack and defense. I’m the one who ‘sticks’ to teammates the most," Raphinha once said. Then he laughed: "maybe my teammates think I talk too much." This statement truly reflects his character on the pitch, always demanding, always pushing, always expecting higher standards. In a young squad with Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and Gerard Martin, Raphinha is the bridge between ambition and discipline, between South American passion and the strict tactical structure of a German coach.

The win over Osasuna also demonstrated Raphinha’s growth. No longer just a player relying on wing sprints and crosses, he now knows how to patiently wait for the right moment, move into tight spaces, and when to accelerate. His partnership with Pedri has become the key to breaking down deep defenses, a problem that once troubled Barca.

The latest performances by Raphinha and Pedri have helped Barcelona extend their winning streak to 7. Camp Nou even chanted "Xabi stay," a sarcastic jab at their rival Real Madrid amid rumors of Alonso’s possible dismissal. But for Flick and his team, the focus is not on Madrid. "The most important thing is the 3 points," Flick said. The road ahead is long, and the next target is Villarreal, which will close out 2025. With Raphinha’s brace, Barca reached 100 goals in the calendar year for the 9th time, and the 2nd time without Lionel Messi in the squad (the first was in 1999).

On this journey, Raphinha embodies a new Barcelona: more patient, more disciplined, yet still ambitious. A player once doubted and seen as inconsistent, now a captain, a spiritual leader, and a pillar in the toughest matches. Some players shine when everything goes smoothly. Others, like Raphinha, are truly recognized when the game becomes stuck, when the opponent’s wall is highest, and when Barcelona needs someone who never gives up.

Ngoc Linh

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