Raphinha Shines in Barcelona’s First Champions League Win of the Season
- Another win for Barcelona (and their first in the UCL) marked another top performance for the Brazilian Raphinha.
- The winger left his fingerprints all over the match, continuing his exceptional run of form to begin the season
By Rohan Borges
Raphinha earns Man of the Match honors in 5-0 victory over Young Boys
Raphinha’s blistering start continued as the Brazilian winger powered Barcelona to a stern 5-0 victory over BSC Young Boys on Tuesday, securing the Catalan club’s first Champions League win of the young campaign. Adding a goal and an assist, Raphinha earned Man of the Match honors, further solidifying his growing influence under head coach Hansi Flick.
The match was never in doubt as Barcelona asserted themselves early on, maintaining 70% possession and suffocating the Swiss side with relentless pressure from the front three. While Barca’s collective performance was sharp, it was Raphinha who stood out. The left-winger practically outperformed Young Boys on his own, creating five chances and registering 11 touches inside the opposition’s box—matching the entire output of the visitors.
Raphinha’s blazing hot start to the season has silenced any lingering doubts surrounding his shaky 2023/24 season. His nine goal contributions in 10 appearances for Barcelona have assured him a spot in Flick’s starting eleven.
The summer transfer window saw Raphinha’s name linked with potential moves to Premier League sides Liverpool and Arsenal, yet the 27-year-old remained focused on staying at Barcelona. His dedication and work ethic earned him Flick’s trust, and Raphinha is now thriving in a critical role for his dream club.
Building on his preseason momentum, Raphinha has showcased his versatility, with Flick deploying him on the left wing rather than his traditional right-sided role. With every performance, the Brazilian continues to push his name into conversations among Europe’s elite wingers.
"I’m in the best moment of my career. I’m happy to help Barça in the best way possible"
- Raphinha
As Barcelona heads into the international break, Raphinha will look to carry his electric play over to Brazil’s World Cup Qualifying matches. He was a key player for his nation during Brazil's underwhelming 2024 Copa America bid, and the winger’s current form will ensure his role as a key figure in upcoming fixtures against Chile and Peru.