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Barcelona star Raphinha continued to showcase his credentials as a potential solution to the Blaugrana’s centre-forward shortage on Thursday evening. This came courtesy of a third goal in just two appearances to open the new season.
Barcelona are of course currently locked in action on the domestic front. Fresh off an opening day drubbing of Elche, Hansi Flick’s troops have welcomed Athletic Club to Catalunya’s capital for a La Liga clash.
The aforementioned Raphinha was in from the off for the evening, flanked on either side by Anthony Gordon and Lamine Yamal.
And as alluded to above, it did not take the Brazilian at all long to stake a fresh claim to continue as Barcelona’s no.9 for the weeks and potentially months ahead.
After Pedri broke free in midfield, Raphinha timed a perfect run in behind the Athletic backline, before rounding Unai Simón and slotting home in confident fashion.
Significantly, this all came from a central role, adding to three direct goal contributions from the same position in the Blaugrana’s season opener last weekend.
As the final days of the transfer window approach, and Deco and co. continue to come up short in their pursuit of a new striker, could Hansi Flick have found his answer in the form of Raphinha?
Conor Laird – GSFN
