Raphinha returns to his PRIME: brutal first half against Alavés

Published New:29/11/2025 - 22:29h

Updated New:29/11/2025 - 22:30h

Raphinha returned to Barça's XI for the first time since LaLiga matchday 6 and did so with a great performance against Alavés (3-1). The Brazilian participated in two of the three Barça goals, adding an assist

FC Barcelona celebrated its 126th birthday with a home victory against Alavés (3-1). For the first time since matchday 6, against Oviedo (1-3), Raphinha was a starter and showed his best version as a left winger. He provided the assist that completed the comeback in the first half, where he also participated in the equalizer.

In the 8th minute, taking advantage of a through ball from **Alejandro Balde**, the Brazilian sent a cross into the heart of the box that couldn't be finished by **Dani Olmo**, but was by **Lamine Yamal**. The '10', after a deflection from **Robert Lewandowski**, latched onto the loose ball at the far post, blasting it past Sivera with a first-time left-footed shot.

Then, in the 26th minute, in a similar play, Olmo managed to finish a pass from Rapha from the side to make the score 2-1. The '11' had advanced down his flank, thanks to a long pass from Gerard Martín. The 28-year-old forward was a nightmare for Jonathan Castro throughout the entire first half, where the Barça 'star' only lacked a goal.

Raphinha only lacked a goal in a notable first half against Alavés

In the 40th minute, Raphinha came close to scoring after an interception on Tenaglia, but Sivera came out quickly to prevent the Brazilian's shot. In the second half, he tried his luck again with a long-range shot, lacking power and easy for the opposing goalkeeper.

According to the plan designed for matchday 14 of the league, Hansi Flick sent Pedri González and Ferran Torres onto the field for Raphinha and Lewandowski with half an hour left to play. In the 60 minutes he was on the field, the Porto Alegre native completed 19 out of 25 passes (76%), as well as recovering a couple of balls and creating 3 goal opportunities.

The winger had played 9 minutes in his return to action last weekend against Athletic (4-0), in addition to another half hour in the visit to Chelsea. For now, he has 3 goals and 3 assists in 10 matches in 25/26, after spending two months in the infirmary due to a right thigh injury from which he relapsed at the end of October.

Raphinha, happy about his return to the starting lineup and Barça's victory

After the match, Rapha downplayed the statistical aspect and expressed his satisfaction at returning to the starting lineup to help the team secure 3 points that, for now, return them to the top of LaLiga."I'm trying to find my best physical version. I'm not fit to play 90 minutes, but when I do, I try to give my best. In the second half, I felt the fatigue a bit, I'm working to find the best in myself and I hope to recover my best version as soon as possible," the Brazilian commented to 'DAZN'.

He also recalled the importance of high pressure to hurt opponents, stating that it is the best defense for a system with advanced lines. "There will be many moments when they think I talk too much, that I'm thoughtful, that I demand a lot from them, but that's just how I am; I demand from people I know can give much more," commented the Barça captain.

In that regard, he added: "I take on this responsibility and afterwards in the locker room we hug and celebrate the victory. **We have to improve a lot, I agree with the coach that the team is not yet playing at its best**, but even so, I think the most important thing today was to come away with the win," the '11' from Barça pointed out.