Raphinha reveals the reason behind his dip in form and points the finger at a Barcelona teammate!

Barcelona’s clash against Rayo Vallecano at the Vallecas Stadium left fans with more questions than answers, especially regarding the performance of Brazilian winger Raphinha. Known for his intensity, flair, and relentless work rate, the forward looked uncharacteristically off his rhythm. His dribbles lacked their usual sharpness, his decision-making was sluggish, and his impact in the attacking third was far below expectations. Coach Hansi Flick eventually substituted him, a move that sparked widespread discussion about what had gone wrong.

Raphinha, however, wasted little time in clarifying the reasons behind his struggles. Far from blaming the pitch conditions or overall team cohesion, he pointed instead to tactical imbalances that forced him to carry defensive responsibilities beyond his usual role. His remarks have shed light on a growing concern within the Barcelona setup: the lack of equilibrium on the left flank.

The Brazilian directly identified Alejandro Balde’s performance as a key factor. The young left-back, admired for his speed and attacking contributions, struggled to maintain the balance between defensive cover and offensive support. His frequent surges forward left wide gaps behind him, gaps that opponents like Rayo Vallecano were quick to exploit. As a result, Raphinha often had to retreat deep into his own half to provide cover, draining his energy and limiting his influence in attack.

For a winger whose main responsibility is to create chances and threaten defenses, the constant defensive burden proved costly. Raphinha admitted that he felt “restricted” by the situation, unable to conserve energy for decisive actions in the final third. The Brazilian also stressed that such a tactical imbalance not only hurt his own output but placed unnecessary pressure on Barcelona’s defensive structure, forcing goalkeeper Juan García into repeated rescue missions.

Interestingly, Raphinha didn’t stop at criticism. He openly called on coach Flick to address the issue directly, suggesting that Balde must be held accountable for his defensive shortcomings. In his view, Flick needs to consider alternatives in certain matches—players like Gerard Martín, who offer more conservative defensive discipline. Such an adjustment, Raphinha argued, would allow him and other attacking players to remain fresh and focused on creating goals rather than firefighting in their own half.

Yet, Raphinha’s statements weren’t purely negative. He recognized Balde’s immense potential, describing him as one of the most promising full-backs in world football. However, he also emphasized that potential alone is not enough at the elite level. According to him, Balde must quickly develop greater defensive awareness and positional discipline if Barcelona is to avoid tactical vulnerabilities in high-pressure matches.

This candid revelation highlights a broader issue within the Blaugrana squad. Hansi Flick has prioritized attacking football since arriving at Camp Nou, encouraging full-backs to push high and wide. While the philosophy generates excitement, it also leaves the team exposed at the back when defensive duties are neglected. Raphinha’s comments underline the fact that for such a system to work effectively, every player must maintain tactical balance—something that remains a work in progress for Barcelona.

The Rayo Vallecano game also reignited debates among fans and pundits about the consistency of Barcelona’s squad. Some argue that Raphinha’s frustrations mirror deeper concerns about the club’s reliance on individual brilliance rather than collective discipline. Others view it as a necessary wake-up call for Balde, who must refine his game to complement teammates like Raphinha instead of inadvertently limiting them.

From the stands to social media, reactions have been divided. Some fans applauded Raphinha for his honesty, believing his criticism is rooted in a desire to improve the team. Others questioned whether airing such grievances publicly could create tension in the dressing room, particularly between a senior figure like Raphinha and a young talent like Balde. What remains clear, however, is that Flick will have to carefully manage the situation to prevent it from escalating.

As Barcelona looks ahead to upcoming fixtures, all eyes will be on whether Flick adjusts his tactics and whether Balde responds to the criticism with maturity and improvement. For Raphinha, the hope is simple: to be freed from the heavy defensive shackles that limited him at Vallecas, and to once again light up the pitch with the flair and decisiveness that made him one of Barcelona’s most feared attackers.

Ultimately, this episode may prove to be a turning point—not just for Raphinha’s form, but also for the tactical evolution of Flick’s Barcelona. Balance between defense and attack has always been the hallmark of successful teams. Whether the Catalan giants can find that balance remains to be seen, but Raphinha’s words have ensured that the conversation is now impossible to ignore.