BARCELONA
\nForward Raphinha\u2019s comeback from injury has helped Barcelona edge back towards their best form and helped the Catalans reclaim top spot in La Liga.
\nThe Brazilian will likely be the first name on coach Hansi Flick\u2019s team sheet for the tricky trip to face Real Betis on Saturday as Barca bid to, at least temporarily, move four points clear of Real Madrid.
\nRaphinha struck against Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou on Tuesday night, as Flick\u2019s side secured a crucial victory against a title rival, and created two goals in the win over Alaves last weekend, on his first start since a hamstring injury in September.
\nLast season, he was vital for Barca as they stormed to a domestic double, racking up 34 goals and 26 assists across 57 appearances in all competitions.
\nIt was only enough for Raphinha to finish fifth in the Ballon d\u2019Or rankings \u2014 much to his chagrin, as evidenced by a series of posts on social media highlighting his own accomplishments.
\nRaphinha found Atletico coach Diego Simeone in his corner this week.
\n\u201cRaphinha plays (all over the pitch)… he scores, he presses. I don\u2019t know how he didn\u2019t win the Ballon d\u2019Or,\u201d Simeone told Movistar after his team\u2019s defeat.
\nBarcelona coach Flick is also grateful to have the 28-year-old back at his disposal.
\n\u201cWhen he\u2019s on the pitch, he increases the dynamic level and the intensity,\u201d enthused Flick after the Atletico win.
\n\u201cEveryone is affected by that. You can see it on the pitch. Also, the positive things he gave us today was so amazing and so important.\u201d
\nRaphinha is a leader for Barcelona on the pitch, pressing opponents and calling on his team-mates to do the same when they are slacking. He is vital in Flick\u2019s system to stop opponents capitalising on Barca\u2019s high defensive line.
\n\u201cI often feel like I\u2019m being a bit pushy, too much. There are many times my team-mates think I talk too much, that I\u2019m annoying, and that I demand too much from them, but that\u2019s just who I am,\u201d said Raphinha last week.
\n\u201cI demand more from people who I know can give much more. Someone has to, and I accept this responsibility, then in the dressing room we hug and celebrate the victory.\u201d
\nEven Flick came in line for a Raphinha pep talk, with the German coach caught sitting on his team\u2019s bench alone and looking surprisingly despondent following the win over Alaves.
\nRaphinha tried to cheer up his coach, but it took the win over Atletico to lighten Flick\u2019s mood, and following that up with a victory in Seville would raise his spirits further.
\nOn Sunday, Real Madrid, who currently trail Barca by a point, host Celta Vigo. Los Blancos ended a run of three consecutive league draws on Wednesday with a 3-0 triumph at Athletic Bilbao.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BARCELONA Forward Raphinha\u2019s comeback from injury has helped Barcelona edge back towards their best form and helped the Catalans reclaim top spot in La Liga. The Brazilian will likely be the first name on coach Hansi Flick\u2019s team sheet for the tricky trip to face Real Betis on Saturday as Barca bid to, at least […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-518429","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n