Both ends, overshadowed by the young Lamine, want to regain their place and their confidence in the final stretch of the season
Sometimes players need a boost to give their best. It may be a decision of the coach, such as a substitute or substitution, or it may be an unexpected circumstance. This happened to João Félix and Raphinha, who were overtaken by an emerging talent: Lamine Yamal. The 16-year-old winger has definitely exploded this 2024. He made his debut scoring 2-0 against Osasuna in the semi-finals of the Super Cup. In the final against Madrid, however, he only played 30 minutes. Still, Lamine went on a streak of eight consecutive tenures in which he shined. He gave a recital in the Betis field, a goal in San Mamés, constantly created danger and scored a cracking double against Granada. It is true that João Félix was injured for three weeks with a sprained ankle and that Raphinha was out for a month with a muscle injury, but Lamine Yamal, together with Pau Cubarsí, has probably been the best news for Barça this season complicated start of the year. The footballer who excites and the only one who brings a different point to the slow and loose game that Xavi Hernández’s team has shown in recent weeks.
A golden opportunity
Last Saturday, against Getafe, João and Raphinha had a unique opportunity. Both returned to the starting eleven after being discharged. The Portuguese had played less than ten minutes in Naples, while the Brazilian had accumulated a quarter against Granada, half an hour in Vigo and almost a quarter on Neapolitan soil. Minutes, however, without significance, without contributing anything to the game. Against the Bordalás team, it was time to give Lamine a break. Xavi didn’t go for the fourth midfielder, instead lining up both ends in the lineup and they responded in the time they were on the field. The eternally questionable João offered a balanced version. Neither the one that dazzled against Porto or Atlético, nor the one that, for example, appeared in Mestalla. That day, the 14th scored, but failed. Saturday, neither one thing nor the other. The Portuguese continued to sin alone in some plays, making bad choices, but he got involved, also in defense. Christensen gave him a goal to gain confidence. Shortly after he was changed and Montjuïc gave him a standing ovation. “I do my job. I try to be at the best level to help the team. I did my best to come back before the injury and here I am,” he said on the microphone of Esport 3 after the game.
Positive competence
For his part, Raphinha was an omnipotent player. From the first minute you could tell he was motivated. And he himself admitted to Movistar that he had the match against Getafe on his mind. “I’m in a period of getting minutes back after the injury and I’m happy to be back in the eleven like this. On the first day of the league I was sent off and that was gnawing at me inside. It was a special game,” he said. Yes, on his debut in the league he received a straight red for assaulting a Getafe player. He fell into the trap of the locals, who distributed tow during the more than 100 minutes that game lasted. On Saturday, with great defensive work, the Brazilian also had an offensive impact. Goal and assist. He also missed some, but the Barcelona winger’s performance was one of the best. Last year, for these dates, Raphinha was also decisive. Between February and March he scored five goals and provided two assists. Two of these goals were worth six points: 1-0 against Valencia at home and 0-1 in San Mamés.
Bilbao, the next test
Curiously, Bilbao is the next Blaugrana stop. A visit that Xavi’s team already resisted a few weeks ago. Raphinha and João Félix, without the injured Ferran Torres, also claim to be there or to play a leading role. They want to accompany Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal, who seem to have the title more than guaranteed in such a difficult and important duel. For Raphinha, competition with the boy is good. “I’m not worried. Competing with him is a privilege and an honor for me, because he will be one of the best players. It makes us better, both me and him. Seeing him play well makes me want to progress as a player and I think he thinks the same. In a team like Barça, this competition must always be there and I like competing with him,” he explained.
The decision, in the hands of Xavi
The decision will ultimately be made by Xavi, but everyone wants to be there and try to finish the season in the best way possible. If Barça still wants to have a final say in the league or in Europe, it needs to have as many resources as possible. The more players plugged in, the better. That Saturday’s game was not just an illusion.
THE WORDS
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