Hansi Flick Holds Extensive Meeting with Barcelona’s Raphinha Amid Form Concerns

FC Barcelona manager Hansi Flick recently engaged in a significant and extended discussion, reportedly spanning over two hours, with the team’s Brazilian winger, Raphinha Dias. This prolonged meeting underscores the growing concern within the Barcelona hierarchy, particularly within the coaching staff led by Flick, regarding the player’s noticeable dip in performance in recent weeks. While the Catalan giants have enjoyed a period of commendable success in 2025, marked by an impressive unbeaten streak across all competitions, Flick’s meticulous approach to management means that individual player form is constantly under scrutiny.

Raphinha, who arrived at the Camp Nou with considerable expectations following a successful spell in the Premier League, initially showcased his immense talent and potential in the early stages of the season. His dynamic wing play, coupled with his ability to deliver incisive passes and contribute with crucial goals, quickly endeared him to the Barcelona faithful. There was even burgeoning speculation that, if he maintained his high level of performance, he could potentially enter the conversation for prestigious individual awards like the Ballon d’Or.

However, in the intervening weeks and months, Raphinha’s form has seemingly taken a downturn, leaving both the coaching staff and the supporters somewhat perplexed. The vibrant energy and attacking impetus that characterized his initial displays have appeared to diminish, and his overall impact on Barcelona’s attacking endeavors has become less pronounced. This sudden shift in performance has understandably prompted Flick to take a closer look at the underlying factors contributing to this decline.

Raphinha himself has publicly stated that the primary reason behind his recent struggles on the pitch is the accumulation of fatigue. The relentless demands of top-tier football, coupled with the physical toll of international duty with the Brazilian national team, can undoubtedly take a significant toll on even the most robust athletes. The winger’s explanation of fatigue offers a plausible explanation for a potential dip in his usual high-energy displays.

In an effort to manage Raphinha’s workload and allow him to recover physically, Flick made the decision to exclude the Brazilian from the matchday squads for Barcelona’s recent La Liga encounters against Girona and Osasuna. Upon his return to the starting lineup for the highly anticipated showdown against Atletico Madrid, there were hopes that the rest would have rejuvenated him. However, his performance in that crucial fixture fell short of expectations, with Raphinha failing to exert the kind of influence that Barcelona needed from one of their key attacking players in such a high-stakes encounter.

Subsequently, in the league match against Real Betis, Flick opted to start Raphinha on the substitutes’ bench, perhaps with the intention of easing him back into the thick of the action and allowing him to regain his confidence gradually. However, even during his substitute appearance in that game, Rafinha’s contributions were reportedly minimal, further amplifying the concerns within the coaching staff about his current physical and mental state. It has become increasingly apparent that there are underlying issues affecting the player’s ability to perform at his optimum level.

While the public pronouncements from within FC Barcelona, particularly from figures like president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco, have suggested a degree of optimism that Raphinha’s dip in form is merely a temporary blip and that he will soon rediscover his прежний уровень, Hansi Flick’s actions indicate a more cautious and proactive approach. The German manager, known for his meticulous attention to detail and his commitment to ensuring that all players are performing at their peak, is clearly not taking the situation lightly.

The reports suggest that Flick has been less than entirely satisfied with what he has observed from Raphinha during recent training sessions and in his appearances on the pitch. This lack of encouragement has prompted the experienced coach to seek a direct and in-depth conversation with the player in an attempt to gain a clearer understanding of the root causes of his sudden decline in performance and to explore potential solutions to help him rediscover his best form.

The fact that the meeting between Hansi Flick and Raphinha reportedly lasted for over two hours underscores the seriousness with which the manager is treating this issue. Such a significant investment of time indicates that Flick was keen to delve into all possible factors that might be contributing to Rafinha’s struggles, including exploring whether there might be any personal or off-field issues that are indirectly impacting his performances on the pitch.

Hansi Flick is renowned for his strong interpersonal skills and his ability to build strong relationships with his players. It is likely that he approached the conversation with Rafinha with a blend of concern and support, aiming to create an environment where the player felt comfortable opening up about any challenges he might be facing. The manager’s priority would have been to understand the situation from Rafinha’s perspective and to work collaboratively towards finding a way for him to overcome his current difficulties.

Flick is acutely aware of the pivotal juncture of the season that FC Barcelona has now reached. With crucial matches in La Liga and the Champions League still to be played, the manager understands the vital importance of having all of his key attacking players firing on all cylinders. A fully fit, confident, and in-form Rafinha would undoubtedly provide a significant attacking weapon for Barcelona and offer Flick valuable tactical flexibility in the final third of the pitch.

Barcelona’s tactical setup often relies heavily on the creativity and dynamism of their wingers to stretch opposition defenses and provide a consistent supply of dangerous crosses and cutbacks for the central strikers and midfielders. Raphinha’s ability to beat defenders, deliver accurate passes, and contribute with goals makes him a crucial component of Barcelona’s attacking strategy. Therefore, Flick’s determination to address his recent dip in form is entirely understandable.

The competition for places in Barcelona’s attacking lineup is also fierce, with several other talented players vying for opportunities in similar roles. The likes of Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, and potentially others are all capable of playing on the wings, and Rafinha will be aware that he needs to rediscover his best form to maintain his place in the starting eleven. Flick’s meeting with the player could also have touched upon the importance of stepping up and proving his worth during this crucial period.

The psychological aspect of a player experiencing a downturn in form cannot be overlooked. A dip in performance can often lead to a loss of confidence and self-belief, creating a negative cycle that can be difficult to break. Flick, with his vast experience in managing top-level players, will likely have sought to address this aspect of Rafinha’s struggles, offering encouragement and support to help him regain his mental sharpness and rediscover his attacking instincts.

Ultimately, the outcome of the extensive conversation between Hansi Flick and Raphinha remains to be seen. However, the very fact that the manager dedicated such a significant amount of time to discussing the player’s current situation underscores the importance of the issue within the Barcelona camp. Both Flick and the Barcelona faithful will be hoping that this proactive intervention will have a positive and lasting impact on Rafinha’s performances, allowing the talented Brazilian winger to once again become the influential and exciting player that he has shown he is capable of being, helping Barcelona in their pursuit of silverware in the remainder of the season.