{"id":1416431,"date":"2025-12-02T08:50:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T08:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1416431"},"modified":"2025-12-01T19:27:14","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T19:27:14","slug":"tactical-analysis-raphinha-return-barcelona-vs-atletico","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-raphinha-return-barcelona-vs-atletico\/","title":{"rendered":"Raphinha analysis: Why his return gives Barcelona the edge in the title race"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/barcelona\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Barcelona<\/a> went top of La Liga over the weekend.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <em>Blaugrana<\/em> claimed a 3-1 win over Alaves on Saturday, while league leaders Real Madrid could only muster a 1-1 draw with Girona. With speculation rife over Xabi Alonso\u2019s future at the Bernabeu, Barcelona can pile the pressure on <em>Los Blancos<\/em> with another three points in midweek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>In this article, we&#8217;ll cover:<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-raphinha-return-a-boost-for-barca\" data-level=\"3\">Raphinha return a boost for Barca<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-brazilian-s-work-rate-key-for-the-champions\" data-level=\"3\">Brazilian&#8217;s work rate key for the champions<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-raphinha-s-importance-in-barcelona-s-midweek-meeting-with-atleti\" data-level=\"3\">Raphinha&#8217;s importance in Barcelona&#8217;s midweek meeting with Atleti<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Owing to their Supercopa de Espana participation in January, Barcelona host Atletico Madrid tonight. Real Madrid, meanwhile, face Athletic Club on Wednesday. It\u2019s the perfect opportunity for the defending champions to open up a four-point lead over their rivals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, Atletico are no pushovers. Diego Simeone\u2019s side have won six on the spin. They\u2019re unbeaten in 13 having recovered well from their opening weekend 2-1 loss at Espanyol. Victory at Spotify Camp Nou would see them go level with Barcelona. However, Hansi Flick recently received a welcome boost ahead of the monster midweek clash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-raphinha-return-a-boost-for-barca\">Raphinha return a boost for Barca<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Raphinha marked his first start in two months with an assist against Alaves on Saturday. The Brazilian suffered a thigh injury against Real Oviedo back in September. As such, Barcelona were robbed of a key man. Slowly, though, Raphinha has been rebuilding his fitness, and now he\u2019s back to improve Barcelona\u2019s title chances.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"article-page__title\">Dabble sign-up offer: <b data-stringify-type=\"bold\">Bet \u00a310+ &amp; Receive \u00a310 In Free Bets<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p><strong>Not signed up to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/dabble-sign-up-offer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dabble<\/a> yet? Here's how to claim the <b data-stringify-type=\"bold\">Bet \u00a310+ &amp; Receive \u00a310 In Free Bets<\/b> welcome offer:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n<li>Sign up to Dabble through this <a href=\"\/en\/go\/dabble?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\">link<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li>Register your account with accurate personal details<\/li>\r\n<li>Place your first bet of \u00a310 or more<\/li>\r\n<li>Receive your \u00a310 in free bets when your qualifying bet has setted<\/li>\r\n<li>Use your Free Bet on any eligible sportsbook market within 7 days<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><a href=\"\/en\/go\/dabble?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1423518 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-300x250.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-300x250.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-320x267.png 320w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-240x200.png 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-72x60.png 72w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-150x125.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-40x33.png 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822.png 712w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>#AD 18+ 7-day free bet expiry. Stake not returned. Promotional Terms Apply.\u00a0<a class=\"c-link\" href=\"http:\/\/gambleaware.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"http:\/\/GambleAware.org\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">GambleAware.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite limited game time in La Liga due to injury, the Brazil international has scored three goals and provided an additional three assists. To be fair to Barcelona, Marcus Rashford has proven a handy deputy, yet Flick can finally call upon the attacking triumvirate that guided the Spanish giants to domestic glory last season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cRaphinha is a player who gives us dynamism in our play. We\u2019ve missed him, and for me, he\u2019s important because he brings a lot of intensity,\u201d Flick said of Raphinha after the win over Alaves. The German boss is right to mention Raphinha\u2019s intensity. This aspect to his game key in the way Barcelona play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-brazilian-s-work-rate-key-for-the-champions\">Brazilian&#8217;s work rate key for the champions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Flick implements a high defensive line, meaning the forward players need to work hard off the ball to ease pressure on the defence. This element to Raphinha\u2019s game is essential, especially when compared to Rashford. Indeed, Raphinha ranks better for both tackles (1 to 0.5) and ball recoveries per 90 (3 to 2.3) than Rashford. This desire to force opposition turnovers in the final third helps present chances for the Barcelona forwards to exploit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This ultimately grants Raphinha with the opportunity to pick out the chances of teammates. It\u2019s no surprise that the Brazil international ranks higher for chances created per 90 than Rashford (3.2 to 2.6). That\u2019s not to say that Raphinha is in infinitely better player than Rashford. Rather, that the duo offer attacking alternatives for Flick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s this lack of flexibility that has limited Flick, especially during Lamine Yamal\u2019s respective spells on the sidelines. Rashford brings more directness and drive to get into the box to provide an additional goalscoring threat for Flick. The on-loan forward is, after all, averaging more touches in the opposition box per 90 than Raphinha (7.7 to 6.4).<\/p>\n\n\n<div class='vccm vccm-compare'data-compare=\"JYbrZpqTpw5sL4ZljOuG1\" data-show-sponsor=\"false\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s more, Rashford boasts a better shot accuracy than his Barcelona teammate (56% to 33.33%). The attacking variety will prove a huge benefit for Flick as Barca look to pip rivals Real Madrid to first. Importantly, too, it\u2019ll aid Barcelona\u2019s chances of claiming a vital victory over Atletico in midweek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-raphinha-s-importance-in-barcelona-s-midweek-meeting-with-atleti\">Raphinha&#8217;s importance in Barcelona&#8217;s midweek meeting with Atleti<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Los Colchoneros<\/em> have once again been the toughest team to break down in La Liga this season. Simeone\u2019s side have conceded fewer goals (11) than any other team in Spain\u2019s top tier this term. No team has kept more clean sheets (6), while only Barcelona (9) are conceding more shots per 90 than Atleti (9.4).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Their dogged determination means they\u2019ll again prove a tough nut to crack in midweek. However, Flick has a number of attacking options that\u2019ll increase Barcelona\u2019s chances of earning a huge three points. It\u2019s this variation between Raphinha and Rashford on the left that means Barcelona can hurt Atletico in a number of ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atleti themselves are being dispossessed 7.2 times per 90 in La Liga this season, which is relatively high for a side that boasts a possession average of 54.6%. And with Raphinha bringing the intensity that Flick spoke of at the weekend, the Brazil international\u2019s high work rate will be crucial as Barcelona seek to extend their lead at the top of the table.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/\"><strong>Latest football news<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football betting tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best betting sites<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/best-free-bet-offers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best free bet offers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/accumulator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football accumulator tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Barcelona went top of La Liga over the weekend. The Blaugrana claimed a 3-1 win over Alaves on Saturday, while league leaders Real Madrid could only muster a 1-1 draw with Girona. With speculation rife over Xabi Alonso\u2019s future at the Bernabeu, Barcelona can pile the pressure on Los Blancos with another three points in&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3564,"featured_media":1416432,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Raphinha\u2019s return boosts Barcelona\u2019s intensity and creativity as Flick targets a crucial win over Atletico and pushes for the La Liga title.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[],"class_list":["post-1416431","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.1 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Raphinha analysis: Why his return gives Barcelona the edge in the title race | 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