Rafinha has shone for Barcelona in their strong start to the season and the Catalan giants will have to rely even more on the Brazilian winger ahead of the crucial week. Hansi Flick’s La Liga leaders host Sevilla on Sunday before a tantalizing Champions League clash with Bayern Munich on Wednesday and then a Clasico clash against Real Madrid next Saturday. Meanwhile, Madrid visit Celta Vigo after lending their support to the star striker Kylian Mbappe after Swedish media reported he was being investigated for alleged rape during a visit to Stockholm.
An inside club source, who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity, described the allegations against the Frenchman as “the biggest fake in the history of the sport”.
Rafinha is Barcelona’s only regular attacking star who has managed to stay fit, with question marks over the rest of the team’s usual front line.
Striker Robert Lewandowski beat Poland’s Nations League tie with Croatia on Tuesday with a brace as Barcelona diagnosed a teenage winger Lamine Yamal with a slight hamstring strain.
Ferran Torres is out with a thigh injury for several weeks, while playmaker Dani Olmo is recovering from a hamstring problem.
However, Rafinha scored twice for Brazil in a 4-0 win over Peru, helping them regain their place in South America’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The winger has six goals and six assists this season for Barcelona in 11 games in all competitions.
“I’m very happy for him, it’s unbelievable what he’s doing,” said Flick after another stellar performance from Rafinha in Barcelona’s last game, a 3-0 win against Alaves.
“His dynamic is really good and I think he can still get even better.”
Rafinha’s first two seasons at Barcelona following a €65 million ($71 million) move from England’s Leeds United in 2022 have been inconsistent.
The Brazilian showed flashes of brilliance but also frustrated the fans and at times looked lost to the former coach Havi Hernandez.
Finally under Flick he lived up to his huge price tag and his positive attitude and hard work earned him the chance to captain both club and country at times.
“The fact that they chose me as the captain of Barcelona also comes somewhat from my lifestyle,” Rafinha told Globo during the international break.
“(It comes from) always trying to get along with everybody, the younger ones, the older ones, trying to help those who come into the club, whether they’re youngsters from the youth team or from other places, trying to help them adapt as quickly as possible.”
Sevilla, 12th, have started the season poorly but have won three of their last five matches, including against rivals Real Betis and a draw against Athletic Bilbao.
Former Barcelona striker Gerard Fernandez is finding his feet with the visitors, while Chidera Ejuke and Dodi Lukebakio make Francisco Garcia Pimienta’s side dangerous.
The coach spent nearly three decades at the Catalan giants between his time as a player and youth team coach.
Garcia Pimienta’s Sevilla pose a threat that Barcelona cannot ignore despite upcoming clashes with Bayern and Madrid.
Player to watch: Antoine Griezmann
Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann has been able to rest during the international break after pulling out of duty in France, and he will be looking to make it count when the Rojiblancos take on Leganes on Sunday. Diego Simeone’s side have not hit their stride this season and will be looking to Griezmann to take the reins.
Key statistics
0 – Las Palmas are the only team in La Liga yet to win a match.
10 – Real Sociedad’s crafty winger Takefusa Kubo is the division’s most fouled player in the final third.
39 – shots made by Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe, the most in the league.
Gadgets
Friday (all GMT)
Alaves in Valladolid (1900)
Saturday
Athletic Bilbao v Espanyol (1200), Osasuna v Real Betis (1415), Girona v Real Sociedad (1630), Celta Vigo v Real Madrid (1900)
Sunday
Majorca Vs Ray Vallecano (1200), Atletico Madrid v Leganes (1415), Villarreal v Getafe (1630), Barcelona v Sevilla (1900)
Monday
Valencia v Las Palmas (1900)
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is automatically generated by a syndicated channel.)
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