Barcelona seems to play in another dimension. Hansi Flick’s team once again demonstrated this Saturday that they are going through an extraordinary moment and, with Raphinha unleashed, they defeated Sevilla 1-3 to maintain their total of victories and the leadership of LaLiga.
The Brazilian Raphael Dias, ‘Raphinha’, was once again the main protagonist. He scored a spectacular hat-trick at the Sánchez-Pizjuán and has already scored 14 goals in the first eight official matches of the season, seven of them in LaLiga and one in the Champions League. A figure that reflects the level of a footballer who has become the main offensive reference for the Barça team.
And behind three of his great actions was Lamine Yamal again. The young winger participated with two assists in Raphinha’s exhibition and once again demonstrated that the partnership between the two is one of the most difficult weapons for any rival to contain.
Sevilla managed to put Barcelona on the ropes for much of the first half. Luis García Plaza’s team pressed very high, closed spaces and took the lead in the 19th minute thanks to a header from Youssouf Fofana. However, the Barça reaction was immediate.
Just three minutes later Raphinha appeared. The Brazilian received, cut down Sangante and shot Odysseas Vlachodimos with his right foot to establish the tie and begin his exhibition.
The game changed completely after the break. Barcelona came out at a different speed, increased the pressure and began to find spaces against a Sevilla team that had made enormous efforts during the first 45 minutes.
In the 52nd minute came the second. Lamine Yamal put in a precise cross and Raphinha appeared to anticipate the Sevilla defense and head in to make it 1-2.
The Brazilian still had another blow in store. In the 69th minute, again with Lamine Yamal as a partner, he received a pass into space and beat Vlachodimos with a precise finish over the top to complete his hat trick.
The 1-3 score ended up reflecting the difference between both teams in a second half in which Barcelona imposed its rhythm and punch. Sevilla, after an extraordinary first half, ended up paying for the effort and practically disappeared from the game.
Barcelona’s numbers are beginning to be as compelling as their football. The Barça team has scored 31 goals in seven LaLiga games and another five in the Champions League, in addition to maintaining a total of seven wins in the Spanish championship.
The message that the match in Seville leaves is clear: Barcelona is playing at a level that few teams in Europe can match. And when Raphinha in a state of grace and Lamine Yamal capable of deciding games are added to the collective quality, the Barça team becomes an extremely difficult rival to stop.
Raphinha already has 14 goals in eight games. Barcelona keeps winning. And the Barça roller continues to advance without yet finding an obstacle capable of stopping it.
