For six frustrating weeks earlier this season, FC Barcelona looked flat. The attacking fluidity that defined their treble win last year under Hansi Flick was gone. Opponents defended deep, and Barça looked toothless, relying too heavily on isolated moments of brilliance from Lamine Yamal or individual strikes from the centre-forward.
The solution, it turns out, was not a tactical overhaul but the return of the tireless, aggressive Brazilian: Raphinha.Since his recovery from a leg injury, Raphinha has returned "as strong as ever," according to reports, and the results speak for themselves. The team is on a seven-match winning streak in La Liga and sits comfortably at the top of the table.
1. The Goals and Assists: The Numbers Don't Lie
The most visible change is Raphinha's direct contribution, which has been decisive in recent weeks:
Match-Winner: His superb brace against Osasuna on Saturday, December 13th, sealed a hard-fought 2-0 victory, breaking the deadlock in the 70th minute and extending Barça's lead atop La Liga.
Decisive Moments: He also scored in the vital 3-1 win over Atlético Madrid and provided a key assist in the 3-1 victory over Deportivo Alavés.
Overall Impact: Despite missing a chunk of the season, Raphinha has already registered 4 goals and 3 assists in the 2025/2026 La Liga season, maintaining the high output that defined his last campaign.
2. Tactical Verticality and Dynamism
The real "Raphinha Effect" is felt in the tactical structure. His presence solves multiple issues in Flick's high-pressing, high-tempo system:
Width and Depth: Raphinha's natural tendency to stay wide and his high work rate force opposing fullbacks to stay deep. This stretches the pitch, creating massive channels in the midfield that allow players like Pedri and FermÃn López to operate with more freedom.
The Pressing Trigger: Without Raphinha, Barcelona often lacked the intensity to press effectively high up the pitch.His relentless, aggressive running and defensive commitment provide the trigger for the rest of the team to push up, leading to more turnovers in dangerous areas.
Versatility in Attack: In the recent Osasuna match, Flick deployed Raphinha in a central attacking midfield (No. 10) role alongside Robert Lewandowski, with Marcus Rashford wide. This tactical flexibility is only possible because Raphinha's positional intelligence allows him to effectively link play, demonstrating a major evolution in his game.
3. Reducing Reliance on Lamine Yamal
Before Raphinha's return, the creative burden on teenager Lamine Yamal was becoming unsustainable. While Yamal is a generational talent, the team suffered when opponents double-marked him.
Raphinha’s return splits the defensive attention. The two wingers are now equally lethal threats, meaning the opposition defense must commit resources to both flanks, significantly easing the pressure on the entire front line and allowing Lewandowski more space in the box.
The Verdict
Hansi Flick has called Raphinha's comeback "essential," and the recent run of victories proves his point. The Brazilian provides more than just raw statistics; he provides the pace, the directness, and the competitive fire that the team desperately lacks when he is absent.
Raphinha is the engine that keeps the Barcelona attack in top gear. If he maintains this form, he won't just be viewed as a player; he'll be seen as the key architect of their current title defense.
Do you think Raphinha's new versatility in the No. 10 role could be key to managing the upcoming fixture congestion?