Every one of Barcelona’s defeats this season has coincided with the Brazilian’s absence from Hansi Flick’s starting XI, underscoring his vital role in the team’s high-pressing defensive system.
Pinning a heavy 4–0 defeat like the one against Atletico Madridon the absence of a single player may sound overly simplistic at first glance. Yet, when viewed within the wider arc of the season, a more telling pattern begins to emerge behind the recurring stumbles of FC Barcelona. Notably, Raphinha has not featured in the starting XI in any of the club’s six defeats this campaign — a coincidence that feels increasingly difficult to ignore.
There is one minor caveat: he did feature briefly in the 3-0 loss to Chelsea, though the winger only came on for the final few minutes with the score already at 2-0, having only just returned from a fitness setback. In the other five defeats, he played no part whatsoever.
His exclusion from Flick’s starting XI in these fixtures highlights how much the team misses the intensity and work rate he injects into every phase of play. This absence is felt most keenly in Barca’s high-risk defensive strategy.
The German head coach touched on this yesterday, citing “excessive gaps between the lines” and “a lack of pressure” when the opposition look to build from the back. The success of their high defensive line depends heavily on the forwards and midfielders denying time and space to those capable of playing long balls. Without that pressure, the team is left dangerously exposed, as evidenced by the first half at the Metropolitano.
Another common thread across these six matches is that Barcelona conceded at least two goals in every one. PSG (1-2), Real Madrid (2-1), and Real Sociedad (2-1) all found the net twice, while Chelsea (3-0), Sevilla (4-1), and Atletico Madrid (4-0) inflicted even heavier damage.
Without Pedri, another vital cog in the press, and without Rashford to provide a threat on the flank—where Dani Olmo was forced to improvise—the tactical imbalance was more pronounced than ever. Barcelona were effectively powerless, appearing as little more than playthings for a dominant Atletico Madrid.
