Raphinha continued his sensational start to the season with a hat-trick as Barcelona thrashed Racing Santander 7-2 on Wednesday. The Brazilian’s latest masterclass helped Barcelona make it seven wins from seven games for the first time in the club’s history.
Barcelona restored their three-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga, with Raphinha once again at the centre of their attacking display. Speaking after the victory, Hansi Flick praised the team’s intensity and collective work while stressing that their impressive start will only matter if they can maintain it until the end of the season.
“It’s always good to start well, but what matters is how you finish. It gives us confidence, and I like the momentum and the intensity,” Flick said.
“Everyone presses, everyone is involved. How we work as a team is crucial,” the Barcelona manager added.
Raphinha was substituted after 67 minutes having scored twice from the penalty spot and once from open play. The treble took his tally to 11 goals in all competitions this season, while he had already registered six goals and three assists in his first five LaLiga appearances before Wednesday’s game.
NO STRIKER, NO PROBLEM FOR BARCELONA
Barcelona had entered the season with questions over their centre-forward options after Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres left, while their pursuit of Julin Alvarez did not materialise. Raphinha has instead flourished in a central role and has become one of the main driving forces behind Flick’s prolific attack.
The Brazilian had already scored in four of Barcelona’s first five league games, including braces against Rayo Vallecano and Valencia, before producing another two-goal display against Feyenoord in the Champions League. He also provided two assists in the 4-2 win over Levante before his latest hat-trick.
Lamine Yamal added a goal and two assists against Santander despite missing a first-half penalty, while Gabriel Jesus also scored after replacing Raphinha. Karim Adeyemi provided an assist, giving Flick another option in an attack that has scored 33 goals across seven matches.
WHAT NEXT FOR FLICK’S BARCELONA
Barcelona’s attacking numbers have been extraordinary, but their defensive vulnerabilities remain a potential concern. They have conceded five goals across their last three matches, while goalkeeper Joan Garcia was forced off against Santander and Wojciech Szczesny was punished after being caught in possession.
Flick, however, continues to trust an aggressive system built around pressing, a high defensive line and constant attacking pressure. The next test comes against Sevilla on Saturday, with Barcelona looking to extend their perfect LaLiga start.
– Ends
