Flick: I'm backing the Barcelona star 100%, and this is why Raphinha plays as a striker
The German coach praises the Brazilian star's brilliance in his new position
Hansi Flick covered plenty of ground ahead of Barcelona's trip to Sevilla, scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, in La Liga. Top of his agenda was the new role handed to Raphinha as an out-and-out striker, along with warm praise for Karim Adeyemi and how quickly the German has settled in.
Barcelona travel to Sevilla top of the table with 18 points from 6 rounds and a perfect record.
Raphinha leads Barcelona's press
On his vision of Raphinha as a number "9", Flick said: "When you look at the last two seasons, you'll find that we always started the pressing process from the number 9. Raphinha has this hunger, this desire and the mentality we need to start the press the way we want."
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, as highlighted by the newspaper "AS", he added: "He doesn't only deliver outstanding levels in attack, but also performs superbly defensively. Raphinha is the one who starts the pressing process, and as the team's captain, he leads everyone, and the others follow him."
Flick has turned to Raphinha in the centre-forward role since the start of the current season, after the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres and the delayed arrival of Gabriel Jesus, which followed the failure to sign Julián Álvarez, the primary target to reinforce the front line last summer.
The Brazilian has thrived there. He has scored 9 goals in 6 matches so far, topping the scorers' list.
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"I'm betting on him 100%"
New arrival Karim Adeyemi also drew a mention, with Flick praising the German's blistering pace, though he stopped short of calling him the fastest player he has ever coached.
Flick said: "He is very fast, but I don't know if he is the fastest of all the players I have coached. Alphonso Davies has similar speed."
On Adeyemi's personality inside the dressing room, he added: "He is a good lad and a great person, and he is highly respected inside the dressing room. Everyone likes him a lot, and his levels in matches make things easier."
The timing of the move suited the player, Flick explained, saying: "I think he wasn't living through his best periods in Germany, and so it was better for him to change the atmosphere and move to another country."
Flick signed off with a clear vote of confidence: "I am very happy that he chose us. I will give him confidence, and I am betting on Karim 100%. We will see more matches like the one he delivered on Wednesday."
