How Raphinha can continue his blistering form to spearhead our Treble charge for next season. 🧵 
Raphinha had an incredible season as a left-sided Inside Forward in Flick's setup.
However, fans have speculated how sustainable this system is due to the strain it puts on Balde.
I'll analyze how we can continue to get the best out of Raphinha sustainably and its importance.
However, fans have speculated how sustainable this system is due to the strain it puts on Balde.
I'll analyze how we can continue to get the best out of Raphinha sustainably and its importance.
Raphinha did his thing against a variety of teams including low blocks. This is from his combination of pure grit, magical finishing, and a few "easy" tapins and cutbacks.
Despite Balde's sacrifice, this was a consistently working formula. Let's breakdown exactly how he did it.
Despite Balde's sacrifice, this was a consistently working formula. Let's breakdown exactly how he did it.
I'll begin with the core of Raphinha's playstyle, and that he is not one to be chained under positional constraints, whether it's as a LW, RW or 10.
He's someone who thrives on running and arriving into space, and is capable of accessing every zone.
He's someone who thrives on running and arriving into space, and is capable of accessing every zone.
His strengths include ballstriking, PnP, positioning, one-touch and linkup play.
His weaknesses include 1v1 and settled dribbling, as well as limited angle bias.
This profile makes him the best player in large spaces, but inefficient in tight spaces.
His weaknesses include 1v1 and settled dribbling, as well as limited angle bias.
This profile makes him the best player in large spaces, but inefficient in tight spaces.
A crucial thing to note is his willingness and ability to constantly run, whether IP or OOP.
Beyond his absurd output, that dynamism to vertically stretch the field and lead our press is what keeps him on the field despite his positional weakness.
Beyond his absurd output, that dynamism to vertically stretch the field and lead our press is what keeps him on the field despite his positional weakness.
Let's do a quick review of the "free role" that Flick has entrusted upon him.
His most consistent position is the advanced left half-space, however that's his only reference point.
There are instances where Raphinha drops deep, rotates to the right and plays wide on the left.
His most consistent position is the advanced left half-space, however that's his only reference point.
There are instances where Raphinha drops deep, rotates to the right and plays wide on the left.
There's a concept around Raphinha that he can't *hold* width, and that is true.
This does not mean that he can't play wide at all, I'll reiterate his ability to arrive into every zone through his space interpretation, ballstriking and PnP.
He's a good large space dribbler too.
This does not mean that he can't play wide at all, I'll reiterate his ability to arrive into every zone through his space interpretation, ballstriking and PnP.
He's a good large space dribbler too.
A good way to visualize what I mean is through his Zones of Influence and comparing his ZOI with a more traditional winger such as Nico Williams.
On the left is how I'd quantify Raphinha's ZOI.
On the right is how I'd quantify Nico's ZOI.
On the left is how I'd quantify Raphinha's ZOI.
On the right is how I'd quantify Nico's ZOI.
With this, we understand that Raphinha is a universal outlet.
So instead of determining his "optimal position", we must dissect the optimal conditions around him.
That's by surrounding him with players with similar larhe ZOIs, ones that can rotate and interchange with Raphinha.
So instead of determining his "optimal position", we must dissect the optimal conditions around him.
That's by surrounding him with players with similar larhe ZOIs, ones that can rotate and interchange with Raphinha.
We've already seen Balde consistently hold the width for Raphinha, and while effective, it's not the most sustainable due to lack of defensive depth
Solutions to add fluidity and support for Raphinha's freedom include Mezzala Fermin and False Winger Gavi
Solutions to add fluidity and support for Raphinha's freedom include Mezzala Fermin and False Winger Gavi
https://x.com/FalseTenn/status/1942452724575941084?t=55utHIvNs463i9Mu_Z5AmQ&s=19
But why must we go through such lengths to accommodate such an unconventional player?
Beyond the points I've mentioned (G/A, work-rate, clutch factor)
He's our best bet especially considering our financial position. What other winger can replace the output and work he does?
Beyond the points I've mentioned (G/A, work-rate, clutch factor)
He's our best bet especially considering our financial position. What other winger can replace the output and work he does?
He adds that bite, decisiveness, penetration and offensive aggression that modern Barcelona has historically lacked outside of Messi and Neymar, as evidenced by his 21 UCL G/A.
Raphinha is here to stay and continue to terrorize defenses across Europe for us. Viva Raphinha
Raphinha is here to stay and continue to terrorize defenses across Europe for us. Viva Raphinha
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