Raphinha has shone for Barcelona of their robust begin to the season and the Catalan giants might want to lean on the Brazil winger much more forward of a pivotal week. Hansi Flick’s La Liga leaders host Sevilla on Sunday earlier than a tantalising Champions League conflict with Bayern Munich on Wednesday after which a Clasico battle in opposition to Actual Madrid the next Saturday. Madrid, in the meantime, go to Celta Vigo after giving their assist to star ahead Kylian Mbappe after Swedish media reported that he’s being investigated for an alleged rape throughout a go to to Stockholm.
An inside membership supply, who spoke to AFP on situation of their identification not being revealed, described the accusations in opposition to the French participant as “the largest faux within the historical past of sport”.
Raphinha is Barcelona’s solely common attacking star who has been in a position to keep match, with query marks over the remainder of the workforce’s typical entrance line.
Striker Robert Lewandowski sat out Poland’s Nations League draw with Croatia on Tuesday with a knock, whereas Barcelona have identified teenage winger Lamine Yamal with a minor hamstring pressure.
Ferran Torres is sidelined with a thigh harm for a number of weeks and playmaker Dani Olmo is recovering from a hamstring downside.
Against this Raphinha struck twice for Brazil in a 4-0 win over Peru which helped them achieve again floor in South American World Cup 2026 qualifying.
The winger has six objectives and 6 assists this season for Barcelona in 11 matches throughout all competitions.
“I’m very completely satisfied for him, it is unbelievable what he is doing,” mentioned Flick after one other stellar Raphinha show in Barcelona’s final outing, a 3-0 win at Alaves.
“His dynamic is absolutely good and I believe that he can nonetheless get even higher.”
Raphinha’s first two seasons at Barcelona after a 65 million euro ($71 million) transfer from English aspect Leeds United in 2022 had been inconsistent.
The Brazilian confirmed flashes of brilliance but in addition pissed off followers and at instances appeared misplaced underneath former coach Xavi Hernandez.
Lastly underneath Flick he’s delivering on his hefty price ticket and his constructive perspective and onerous work has earned him the possibility to captain each membership and nation every now and then.
“The truth that I used to be chosen as captain at Barcelona additionally comes a bit of from my means of being,” Raphinha instructed Globo throughout the worldwide break.
“(It comes from) at all times attempting to get together with everybody, with the youthful ones, with the older ones, attempting to assist those that arrive on the membership, whether or not they’re kids from the youth workforce or from different locations, attempting to assist them adapt as shortly as potential.”
Sevilla, twelfth, began the season poorly however have three wins of their final 5 video games, together with in opposition to rivals Actual Betis, and a draw at Athletic Bilbao.
Former Barcelona attacker Gerard Fernandez is discovering his toes with the guests, whereas Chidera Ejuke and Dodi Lukebakio make Francisco Garcia Pimienta’s aspect harmful.
The coach spent practically three many years on the Catalan giants between his time as a participant and a youth workforce coach.
Garcia Pimienta’s Sevilla pose a risk which Barcelona can not overlook regardless of the upcoming clashes with Bayern and Madrid.
Participant to observe: Antoine Griezmann
Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann was in a position to relaxation over the worldwide break after retiring from France responsibility and he’ll look to make that rely because the Rojiblancos face Leganes on Sunday. Diego Simeone’s aspect haven’t hit their stride this season and can look to Griezmann to take the reins.
Key stats
0 – Las Palmas are the one workforce in La Liga but to win a recreation.
10 – Actual Sociedad’s difficult winger Takefusa Kubo is the division’s most fouled participant within the closing third.
39 – photographs taken by Actual Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe, essentially the most within the league.
Fixtures
Friday (all instances GMT)
Alaves v Valladolid (1900)
Saturday
Athletic Bilbao v Espanyol (1200), Osasuna v Actual Betis (1415), Girona v Actual Sociedad (1630), Celta Vigo v Actual Madrid (1900)
Sunday
Mallorca v Rayo Vallecano (1200), Atletico Madrid v Leganes (1415), Villarreal v Getafe (1630), Barcelona v Sevilla (1900)
Monday
Valencia v Las Palmas (1900)
(This story has not been edited by EDNBOX workers and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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