Raphinha's Reinvention Fuels Barcelona's Perfect Start

Hansi Flick has seen enough. Five games into the season, eight goals on the board, and the Barcelona head coach is in no doubt about the man leading his attack.

“Rapha has played fantastic. He is on another level – he's unbelievable. When he's like this, he's, for me, one of the best players in the world,” Flick said on the eve of Sunday’s trip to Levante.

Strong words. Backed up by a bold decision.

From winger to spearhead

Barcelona went into the summer looking for a striker and came away empty-handed in their push to sign Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez. Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres departed, the classic No 9 profile disappeared with them, and Flick chose not to panic.

He looked inside his own dressing room and pushed Raphinha, the former Leeds United winger, into the centre of the attack. It could have been a stopgap. It has turned into a statement.

Four straight LaLiga wins. A midweek Champions League victory. Eight goals in five games for the 29-year-old, now operating as the tip of one of Europe’s most ruthless forward lines, flanked by Lamine Yamal, Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi.

The numbers explain why Flick is so effusive. The performances explain why he sounds so convinced.

Depth behind the star turn

Raphinha may be the headline act, but Flick was keen to underline that this is not a one-man plan.

“Raphinha, Gabby and Hamza are three different profiles, but there are other ways we could play,” he said, outlining the range of options he sees through the middle. “Anthony and Karim can also play in this position. Or Dani Olmo. Dani has showed us in last two years he can play there – the same with Fermin Lopez. We have a lot of options.”

It is not just variety for variety’s sake. The threat of Gordon or Adeyemi moving inside, the intelligence of Dani Olmo, the energy of Fermin Lopez – all of it gives Barcelona the flexibility to change shape and rhythm without losing edge.

For now, though, Raphinha holds the shirt. His movement, aggression and finishing have given Flick the penalty-box presence he lost with Lewandowski, wrapped in the pressing and work rate of a wide forward in his prime.

Cubarsi anchors a new-look defence

While the attacking fireworks draw the attention, Flick has been just as impressed with what is happening 60 metres further back.

Barcelona have conceded only three goals so far this season. That platform, in Flick’s eyes, has allowed the front line to play with freedom.

“When I see the xG we have in every game, it's good, but also the xG against us is much better than last season. It helps us a lot,” he explained, pointing directly to the underlying numbers as proof of progress.

At the heart of that improvement stands Pau Cubarsi. Still a teenager, already a fixture.

“For me, after the World Cup, [Cubarsi] played fantastic. For me, he's playing on another level at the moment,” Flick said. “I am really happy he has the confidence, but also he's very focused. With the body, he also improved physically. This is very important, especially for this position. Also with the ball, he's playing really good, which helps us a lot, so amazing about that.”

Maturity, physical growth, composure in possession – Cubarsi has given Barcelona a calm axis in defence. Flick’s insistence on structure and compactness is being translated on the pitch by a teenager who looks anything but overawed.

Perfect start on the line at Levante

Barcelona travel to Levante on Sunday protecting a perfect league record and a narrow lead at the top. Four wins from four have put them two points clear of Alaves and three ahead of Real Madrid, who have already stumbled in the early weeks.

The squad situation could hardly be more stable. Flick confirmed there are no new injury concerns after their European outing. Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji remain long-term absentees and the only notable names missing from the matchday group.

Momentum, clarity, and a coach who sounds utterly convinced by his reshaped side. With Raphinha thriving as a central striker and Cubarsi quietly redefining the back line, the question now is simple: who stops Barcelona first?