Why Raphinha is Barcelona’s Key Player for Hansi Flick in 2024/25

With both teams from Madrid not in action until Sunday, Barcelona’s match against Osasuna this Saturday night takes on added importance. A victory for Barça would instantly apply pressure on Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

Just three days after completing their LaLiga commitments, Los Blancos will head to the Metropolitano Stadium to face off against Diego Simeone’s squad. Playing with near full-strength line-ups on Sunday may not be appealing for either side.

Barcelona are on a positive streak, remaining unbeaten this calendar year and securing victories in their last six matches, keeping clean sheets in four of those games.

In stark contrast, Osasuna has struggled, netting just seven goals away from home this season—the lowest in the league. They’ve only managed one win in their twelve away fixtures thus far.

The Rojillos last tasted victory in Barcelona back in 2020, while their only goalless draw in this fixture over the last 14 years occurred at El Sadar, indicating that the Catalans have consistently scored against this opponent at home during this period.

Nevertheless, visiting manager Vicente Moreno has had some success against Barcelona recently, having gone unbeaten in his last two outings against them (one win and one draw), and he’ll be eager to maintain that trend.

To achieve this, he will need to contain Barcelona’s standout player this season, Raphinha, who has been performing remarkably well.

In the previous two seasons before this one, he contributed to 14 goals (7 scored and 7 assisted) in LaLiga during his first term, and 15 (6 scored and 9 assisted) in his second term, though he only started 42 out of a possible 76 matches.

Clearly, Xavi didn’t regard him as a key player, but since Hansi Flick’s appointment, Raphinha has been in exceptional form, scoring 25 times and assisting on 16 occasions across 39 matches in all competitions.

Flick’s evident faith in Raphinha has clearly been reciprocated, and this season the Brazilian has been just as effective playing centrally as he has been on the wings.

Although Robert Lewandowski has found the net more often (33 goals), his contributions mostly come from traditional striking positions, whereas Raphinha’s all-around influence has been more significant.

Despite not leading the team in pass success percentage (78% isn’t bad), the image below illustrates how impactful Raphinha’s involvement has been in certain matches.

Raphinha’s all-round capabilities have made him a crucial asset to Barcelona this season.

His tally of 100 shots in all competitions is at least a dozen more than anyone else, with Lewandowski (88), Lamine Yamal (84) and Dani Olmo (33) trailing behind him in that respect.

Being second for successful flick-ons and leading in pull-back passes is additional proof of Raphinha’s crucial role in the side.

Only Lamine and Pedri have a slightly better duel success rate than his impressive 53.9% among the team’s attacking players too.

Moreover, he has shown great dedication in defensive tasks, recording 45 tackles from an advanced position, bettered only by Jules Kounde (62), defensive midfielder Marc Casado (80), and Pedri (81).

The heat map below illustrates the effort he puts into patrolling his flank and other areas of the pitch, which perhaps explains why Hansi Flick has relied on Raphinha more than any other player this season.

When it comes to minutes logged this season, Raphinha’s total of 3,202 is only surpassed by Kounde, who has played 3,275 minutes.

Playing a total of 39 matches thus far, with more than 12 league fixtures, one or possibly two in the Copa del Rey, and at least one in the Champions League remaining, it’s been quite a workload for him. Barça’s run could extend to six games in the Champions League if they progress all the way to the final.

For context, Raphinha played 37 matches in 2023/24, 50 in 2022/23, and 36 during his tenure with Leeds United in 2021/22.

This trend suggests an upward trajectory in his appearances, attributing it to his growing significance within the squad.

Let’s also acknowledge the leadership role he embraced this season while Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Frenkie de Jong, and Ronald Araujo were sidelined due to injury.

Stepping up as the captain has suited Raphinha, and regular LaLiga viewers can see how his previously flashy style has matured into more serious and controlled gameplay.

“Wearing the armband is a tremendous honour, both on the field and off it, as well as in the dressing room,” he told club media earlier this season. “I am always here to support my teammates, and it’s a joyful and emotional experience to be captain.”

While Barcelona boasts numerous experienced leaders in their locker room, Raphinha’s unique skills set him apart from his teammates.

His speed, quick thinking, control during play, and fluid movements all combine to make him a genuine threat—something that many of his opponents have discovered this season.

Against Osasuna, the Brazilian will certainly have a point to prove, especially since the earlier defeat remains the only occasion in league play this season where Barça conceded four goals, and also the sole match in 2024/25 that Raphinha did not start.