The analysis of the ‘big data’ yields an irrefutable conclusion: FC Barcelona is a much more vulnerable team when Raphinha does not appear in the eleven. The recent defeat at the Metropolitano, suffered without the Porto Alegre winger, shows a trend that is repeated this season, where the six Barça setbacks have coincided with their absence or poor form. The influence of the former Leeds United player transcends the attack; With him in the green, the scoring capacity increases from 2.33 to 2.82 goals per game, but the real impact is felt in the rearguard. Without their intensity, the Catalan team concedes more than double the number of goals, going from conceding 0.77 to 1.8 per game, which shows that their return against Girona is vital for their league aspirations.
The contribution of the Rio attacker stands out especially in the “dirty work” and the pressure after loss, facets where Barça significantly improves its recovery records and won duels. The statistics reflect that, with Raphinha on the pitch, interceptions increase and rivals find it much less easy to shoot on goal, reducing the opponent’s effectiveness from 79% to a meager 59%. Hansi Flick thus recovers his most balanced piece, a footballer who guarantees a compact block and allows the leader to recover the lost defensive solvency. After overcoming his physical problems, the Brazilian is postulated as the differentiating factor to face the decisive stage of the Champions League and the Cup with full guarantees of success.
