Under Hansi Flick’s direction in 2024, Barcelona winger Raphinha has evolved into a far more complete and adaptable player, breaking through the earlier limitations that characterized his performances.
Flick, who came in as a tactician reputed for his sharp emphasis on high pressing, efficient transitions, and empowering wingers like Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane at Bayern Munich, has unlocked a higher level of potential in Raphinha that makes him indispensable to Barça’s attacking setup.
Raphinha’s game now embodies an intelligent blend of technical sharpness, work rate, and versatility that has won over fans and critics alike. Not only that, but you can strongly argue that he’s been the best player in La Liga this season and a legitimate Ballon d’Or contender alongside Harry Kane and teammate Lamine Yamal.
Tactical Awareness and Positioning
One of Flick’s first orders of business was to refine Raphinha’s spatial awareness and decision-making in the final third. In the past, Raphinha often relied on his dribbling and acceleration to create chances, frequently aiming to take on his marker down the right flank.
While his technical prowess made him a threat, this approach could limit Barcelona’s build-up play, as opponents began to anticipate his pattern, which could leave him frustrated in matches where he was isolated on the touchline or unable to find transition opportunities.
Flick’s strategic adjustments emphasized positioning and off-ball movement, reshaping Raphinha’s decision-making process. Instead of focusing on individual duels, he started positioning himself more intelligently within the broader attacking structure.
He’s specifically given Raphinha more freedom, allowing him to start as an attacking midfielder or a left winger with Lamine Yamal deservedly taking up permanent residence on the right flank.
This expansion has been key to Raphinha’s breakout, because he no longer has to take a step back for Yamal; he can shine alongside him and Robert Lewandowski, benefiting from playing with two of the finest footballers on the planet.
The Brazilian international has raised his level to theirs, recording well over three key passes per game, placing him in an elite class of playmakers on the wing and even through the middle.
That one statistic shows you a glimpse of how much Raphinha’s feel for the game in a playmaking role has shone through, with the 27-year-old picking out space and passes to pull the strings for the team.
Under Flick, Raphinha has also become a more proactive passer. He frequently drops deeper or tucks into the half-spaces to facilitate link-up play, providing a viable passing option and relieving pressure off midfielders, such as Pedri and Frenkie de Jong.
By doing so, he allows Barcelona’s offense to progress more smoothly. This fluid movement also prevents him from becoming isolated on the wing, ensuring that Raphinha remains an ever-present threat, whether on the ball or during off-ball transitions.
Increased Versatility in Attack
Flick’s influence has significantly expanded Raphinha’s role beyond that of a classic winger. The German manager encourages his wide players to operate as dual threats, capable of both facilitating and finishing plays.
Raphinha now makes diagonal runs in behind defenses, looking for through balls or cutbacks from teammates. He’s done most of his damage this season by coming in off the left into the middle of the pitch to beat the offside trap on the counter, or he has directly come through the middle as a 10.
It’s like he has a new lease on life, able to press and win possession high up the pitch, drop deep to facilitate play, or simply cut through the defense like a hot knife through butter before latching onto a through pass himself with a delicious first touch.
This versatility is integral to Flick’s attacking philosophy, which values unpredictability and the ability to stretch defenses vertically and horizontally. The freedom to interchange with other forwards has made Raphinha’s impact multidimensional; he is as likely to initiate an attack as he is to finish it.
The numbers reflect this, too. With six goals so far in the 2024/25 La Liga campaign, Raphinha is on pace for over 20 goals extrapolated to a 38-game season. Now, it’s unlikely he will keep that pace up, but given he scored seven and six goals, respectively, in his first two seasons with Barcelona, this is undoubtedly a major improvement in scoring threat under Flick.
His finishing has improved, as he’s more selective and patient in choosing his moments. His goals this season under Flick demonstrate this growth in maturity, highlighting an impressive knack for finding gaps in the defense to exploit.
Raphinha, as his 11 goals in a single season with Leeds showed a few years back, has always had the eye and technique to threaten. But now that he’s able to play in a freer role and attack the middle of the pitch, he is getting more chances to score.
And he is taking them. That’s the key part of the equation. Ironically enough, it has been Raphinha who has shown more technical class with the touch and finesse with the finish than his more hyped Real Madrid counterpart Kylian Mbappe, whose goals have mostly come from the spot.
Defensive Contributions and Pressing Intensity
One of Flick’s trademarks is his demand for relentless pressing and defensive contributions from all players, especially his wingers. While Raphinha had shown flashes of defensive commitment before, Flick’s tutelage has turned him into a pressing machine.
He did this with his attacking players – all of them – at Bayern Munich when he unforgettably won the trouble, and it should really be no surprise that he’s gotten this same level out of the incredibly industrious Raphinha.
Even under Xavi, you could see that Raphinha was as willing as any winger to play defense. In 2024 under Flick, the former Premier League star is defending at a more refined level in a system that is focused on empowering wingers to do that.
Raphinha’s pressing is now both intelligent and effective; he times his efforts well, intercepting passes and blocking potential counter-attacks with tactical acumen. His intensity off the ball has improved Barcelona’s overall defensive solidity, allowing the team to regain possession higher up the pitch.
His pressing efficiency has made him one of the most effective defensive wingers in La Liga, an attribute that resonates well with Flick’s high-pressing philosophy.
Raphinha’s increased defensive contributions are noticeable in his tracking back to help the full-back during transitions. This attribute has become essential in Barcelona’s efforts to control the game by disrupting opponents’ offensive build-ups early.
His 1.5 tackles per game defensively would be top numbers in terms of defensive interventions for a fullback, too, so the likes of Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde are getting additional defensive help from someone who is as good as another defender.
Pressing high in the Flick style helps Barcelona get clear scoring opportunities immediately, but even when he shifts back deeper to protect, he doesn’t hurt his own attacking output either because Barcelona are so quick at getting forward from those deeper positions – and well know how fast Raphinha himself is.
Flick’s holistic approach to defense also emphasizes collective responsibility, which has fostered a culture of accountability within the squad. Raphinha is now more aware of his defensive positioning, coordinating with the midfield and backline to maintain the team’s shape.
Improved Playmaking Prowess
Raphinha has a diverse array of crossing techniques at his disposal. His favorite is the cut-back, left-footed cross from the right, but now that he’s playing in other positions more often for Barcelona, we are seeing a full arsenal of options from the 27-year-old star.
He alternates between whipped crosses to the far post, low-driven deliveries across the six-yard box, and lofted balls to pick out late runs from midfielders or other forwards when he drops into the hole or deeper from the half-spaces.
Another significant development is Raphinha’s playmaking role in tight spaces. Flick has worked to improve his composure and awareness in crowded areas, a necessity given La Liga’s tight-marking defenses.
Dani Olmo was signed to bring that playmaking, but after he went down with an injury, it was Raphinha who stepped up ably to be an extraordinary creator with six assists to his name.
Remember, that’s a 20+ assist pace in a 38-game season, which is actually an even more impressive feat for a winger than 20 goals; if he can maintain that level, it would place Raphinha in rarified air.
Raphinha has learned to look for quick, incisive passes instead of simply opting for dribbles or one-dimensional play. This advancement in playmaking has allowed him to operate as a quasi-playmaker, especially when the other midfield stars like Pedri are marked more closely by a defense lulled into compactness in the middle.
Look, Raphinha always had this in him, but Flick has helped harness more of this ability, perhaps even just by having the foresight to see more of this quality in this player than others could.
Statistical Evidence of Raphinha’s Improvement
The statistical markers of Raphinha’s transformation under Flick are striking. His assist tally has seen a notable increase, as he ranks among La Liga’s top creators this season.
His underlying metrics also indicate a leap in quality; his key passes per game have risen from 1.5 to 3.5 in one season, and his expected assists (xA) of 1.28 per 90 consistently surpass his previous records, which were already impressive in recent seasons (over 0.80 in his previous two with Barcelona).
Raphinha’s goal-scoring metrics have also improved. His shot accuracy is at an all-time high, with a better conversion rate compared to previous seasons. So fari n 2024/25, Raphinha’s 40% shot on target rate would be his first time hitting that mark. This improvement aligns with Flick’s emphasis on taking high-quality shots.
His non-penalty expected goals (npxG) metric has increased by 0.20 points to 0.63 this season, reflecting his tendency to find higher-value positions within the box in Flick’s counter-heavy system, and his shooting confidence has visibly surged.
There are some statistics, like dribbles completed and shot-creating actions, that haven’t changed under Flick, but they have not worsened despite playing in a system where Raphinha does see less of the ball.
It’s just that he’s a lot more efficient with those touches, taking better positions and getting into higher-leverage opportunities as a goal-scorer and provider, reflected by his ludicrous 20/20 pace.
Chemistry with Key Players
Another essential factor in Raphinha’s improvement is his chemistry with key teammates, particularly in Flick’s revamped tactical structure. His partnership with players like Pedri, Robert Lewandowski, and Lamine Yamal has flourished under Flick’s system.
These connections have become more cohesive and purposeful, allowing Barcelona to construct more dynamic attacks. Raphinha’s emerging understanding with Pedri, for example, is particularly potent, given their freer roles in the Flick system and propensity for all-around devastating on and off the ball.
Flick has facilitated an environment where the two can link up effectively, often exchanging quick passes in tight spaces to open up defenses. Raphinha’s improved tactical awareness has helped him anticipate Pedri’s movements, enabling smoother transitions between midfield and attack.
His chemistry with Lewandowski has also evolved. Raphinha has always provided Lewandowski with tantalizing service in the box, allowing the Polish striker to capitalize on his goal-scoring instincts.
Now, he’s able to connect with Lewa in closer quarters around the box, leading to a synergistic effect for both in the goals column.
Meanwhile, Yamal’s relentless energy complements Raphinha’s ability to get in behind off the ball while the teenage phenom is actively taking defenders on, forming a dynamic that is doubly dangerous for defenses.
Flick’s system has thus magnified Raphinha’s ability to synergize with his teammates, amplifying Barcelona’s collective potency. In the case of Yamal and Raphinha, they can flip opposite wings or draw in defenders with the other then getting space to score on the switch.
A New Chapter for Raphinha
Under Hansi Flick’s tutelage, Raphinha has undergone a remarkable transformation, one that redefines his role and impact at Barcelona. Flick’s emphasis on tactical flexibility, defensive intensity, and technical refinement has taken Raphinha’s game to new heights from a solid footballer to a potentially elite one.
Remember when Raphinha was mired in transfer rumors this summer? That feels like ancient history or even an outright fake of history that Jonathan Frakes is ready to bust out and expose.
Raphinha is slowly finalizing an evolution into a complete player who can dictate play, disrupt defenses, and press with relentless energy. He, again, had that in him, and Hansi Flick seems to be – rather quickly – bringing that out of the 27-year-old forward.
Right now, he embodies the qualities of a modern winger – he’s not just a dribbler but a playmaker, not just a speedster but a goal-scorer, and not just a forward who grabs headlines but a leader on and off the field for a legitimate world footballing juggernaut.
This season may well go down as the one in which Raphinha matured into a true Barça linchpin, with Flick providing the perfect environment for his growth. Flick has reinvigorated Barcelona’s attacking ambitions by rethinking the qualities of his talented individual pieces, just as he did at Bayern five years ago.
