Barcelona’s form collapse shows how much they miss captain’s firepower and fight | OneFootball

It has now been more than a month since Raphinha last pulled on the Barcelona shirt, and his absence has left a void that statistics alone can hardly explain. 

The Brazilian winger played 65 minutes against Real Oviedo in late September before picking up an injury, and since then, Barcelona’s rhythm has crumbled. 

In the six games without him, Hansi Flick’s side have stumbled to three defeats, looking far less sharp on both ends of the pitch.

Numbers do the talking

When Raphinha was fit, Barça looked like genuine contenders. With him involved, the team recorded seven wins and one draw from eight matches in La Liga and the Champions League, losing just two points in total. 

They were scoring freely as well – 21 goals, with Raphinha himself contributing three goals and two assists – and conceding only five. 

The contrast since his injury has been stark, as though the team’s spark went missing with him.

Barcelona badly miss Raphinha. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Without Raphinha, Barcelona’s numbers have nosedived. From those six games, they have managed only nine points out of a possible 18, a success rate of just 50% compared to 87.5% with the Brazilian on the field. 

Defensively, the situation is even more worrying. The Blaugrana have shipped 11 goals, an average of almost two per match, while scoring 13, and it is worth noting that six of those goals came in a single game against Olympiacos.

More than just numbers

Raphinha’s impact cannot be measured by numbers alone. 

His relentless pressing, constant running, and determination to win the ball high up the pitch are vital to Flick’s system, which relies on energy and discipline from the front line. 

When Raphinha plays, Barcelona defend better because he forces opponents into mistakes before they can settle. His aggression sets the tempo, and without it, the team often looks passive and predictable.

The good news for Barça is that the winger’s return is scheduled for after the November international break, with a potential comeback pencilled in for the La Liga clash against Athletic Club on November 22. 

Until then, Flick must find a way to stabilise the team’s form, though it is evident that Raphinha’s energy and directness have been irreplaceable.