Raphinha’s transformation into a number nine under Flick, ‘Erasmus’ with Lewandowski and a nod to Txiki | OneFootball

Raphinha is tearing up La Liga as Barcelona’s new number nine. A hat-trick at the Sánchez Pizjuán lifted him to 12 goals after seven matches and underlined a rapid reinvention under Hansi Flick.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, the Brazilian had doubts when Flick gave him the role one month and four days ago. The coach also handed him the armband, elevating his status in a position long led by Robert Lewandowski.

At 1-1 he coaxed a line-breaking pass from Andreas Christensen, killed it with a touch and spin, then finished cleanly. Soon after he made it 1-2 with a classic centre-forward’s header, the fruit of an ‘Erasmus’ alongside Lewandowski.

For 1-3 he read the line, stayed onside despite two markers and raced onto Lamine’s pass, the teenager supplying two assists. He beat Vlachodimos with a deft chip, a nod to Txiki Begiristain.

It sealed a second straight treble in three days, after Racing and Sevilla. Not even Lewandowski’s first season with Flick began like this, he opened 24-25 with seven to Raphinha’s current 12.

Flick set the switch on 16 August, before the 2-5 against Basel, asking if he felt ready to play nine and saying he would use Gordon if not. From the left he had five in 24-25 and three in 25-26, he is now two shy of Lewandowski’s 14 last season in 31 games and four off Ferran Torres’s Liga best of 16 in 33. Flick saw it first.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo

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