Raphinha's 'irritating' drive propelling Barcelona to peak performance
Raphinha's return from injury as a forward has aided Barcelona in regaining their top form, allowing the Catalan club to reclaim the lead in La Liga.
The Brazilian is expected to top coach Hansi Flick's lineup for the challenging away match against Real Betis on Saturday, as Barcelona seek to, at minimum, extend their lead over Real Madrid by four points temporarily.
Raphinha scored in the game versus Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou on Tuesday evening, helping Flick's team clinch a vital win over a direct competitor for the title, and he set up two goals in the previous weekend's victory against Alaves, marking his initial start since sustaining a hamstring issue in September.
In the prior campaign, he played a key role for Barcelona during their sweep to a domestic double, contributing 34 goals and 26 assists in 57 outings across various tournaments.
That performance placed Raphinha fifth in the Ballon d'Or standings, a result that clearly frustrated him, as shown by multiple social media updates emphasising his achievements.
This week, Raphinha received support from Atletico Madrid's manager Diego Simeone.
"Raphinha operates across the field, he nets goals, he applies pressure. I cannot understand why he did not claim the Ballon d'Or," Simeone remarked to Movistar following his side's loss.
Barcelona's manager Flick is equally appreciative of having the 28 year old available again.
"His presence on the field boosts the energy and the pace," Flick praised after the Atletico success.
"It impacts the entire squad. The contributions he made today were outstanding and essential."
Raphinha serves as an on field leader for Barcelona, relentlessly pressing foes and urging his colleagues to match that effort when they lag. He is crucial in Flick's setup to prevent rivals from exploiting Barcelona's advanced defensive line.
"Frequently, I sense that I am overly insistent. Often, my colleagues believe I speak excessively, that I am bothersome, and that I expect too much from them, yet that is my nature," Raphinha commented last week.
"I push for greater output from those capable of delivering it. It falls to someone to do so, and I embrace that duty, after which we embrace in the locker room and rejoice in the triumph."
Raphinha even offered encouragement to Flick, as the German manager was observed sitting solitary on the bench, appearing unusually downcast after the Alaves win.
Raphinha attempted to uplift his coach, though it required the Atletico victory to improve Flick's outlook, and a subsequent success in Seville would elevate his enthusiasm even more.
On Sunday, Real Madrid, presently one point behind Barcelona, will entertain Celta Vigo. The Spanish champions halted a sequence of three straight league stalemates on Wednesday via a 3-0 success away to Athletic Bilbao.
Player to watch: Julian Alvarez
Atletico Madrid forward Alvarez has struggled with his sharpness lately, especially away from home. The Argentine star aims to reverse this trend during Atletico's journey to Bilbao, seeking to invigorate his squad's championship challenge after their recent setback against Barcelona at Camp Nou.
Key stats
14 Moroccan players in the Spanish top division, the fourth highest nationality after Spain, France, and Argentina
35 successive La Liga matches in which prolific Barcelona have scored
70 saves by hardworking Real Oviedo keeper Aaron Escandell, the highest total in the league
Fixtures
Friday all times GMT
Real Oviedo v Mallorca 2000
Saturday
Villarreal v Getafe 1300, Alaves v Real Sociedad 1515, Real Betis v Barcelona 1730, Athletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid 2000
Sunday
Elche v Girona 1300, Valencia v Sevilla 1515, Espanyol v Rayo Vallecano 1730, Real Madrid v Celta Vigo 2000
Monday
Osasuna v Levante 2000