Raphinha extends Barça's party with a perfect hat-trick

BarcelonaA hat trick is achieved by that footballer who scores one goal with the right foot, one with the left, and one with the head. It is, nothing more and nothing less, what Raphinha achieved in Seville, where the Brazilian carried Barça on his back and led the comeback of a team that added its eighth victory in the eight matches played. A perfect start as well, even though the duel at the Sánchez-Pizjuán was, probably, the most demanding of those played so far (1-3).

Flick had said in August that the best Barça would be seen after the international break, but the good start to the season had given the impression that the coach was exaggerating. Flick knew what he was saying. The atypical preseason and the accumulation of matches meant that the team arrived very tired at the Sánchez Pizjuán.

The Andalusian side did not reinvent the wheel. Well tucked in at the back, organized in defense and support, and alert to break on the counterattack as soon as they recovered the ball. The difference is that Barça was not the Barça of the previous matches. It was as if the ball was sticking to the grass. The passes were not entirely precise. The shots, off target. And the attacks, very rushed.

Livakovic was the big surprise in the Blaugrana starting eleven. The Croatian goalkeeper did not have the dream start. Fofana scored a header against him that he is still looking for, he was not reliable at blocking the ball and he committed some errors of judgment that cost him corrections from a visibly nervous coach. In the second half, he made up for it. Rodri, imperial in the pivot position, a savior with a couple of interceptions, called for calm from a team that was beginning to have many open fronts. Also, with the permissive refereeing of the Valencian Martínez Munuera.

Gordon regained his starting spot, although he did not shine against Sevilla's defensive setup. He didn't touch many balls either, because the team loaded the play towards Lamine Yamal's right wing. The Rocafonda winger had a first chance that did not end in a goal due to a good stretch from Vlachodimos, who touched the ball just enough to deflect it towards the post. On the other hand, the Greek goalkeeper could do nothing against Raphinha's shot, who achieved the equalizer with a trademark action: receiving in space, making a sharp cut and, like lightning, finishing with his right foot.

Barça ended the first half having more possession of the ball, but it felt like it was Sevilla who was more comfortable. If it were a boxing match, one would say the Andalusians were winning on points. It didn't help that Lamine Yamal was accelerated and fell for the provocations of the rivals and the fans. The halftime break was holy water for the Blaugranes.

Flick knows how to push the right buttons at halftime

Flick knew how to bring order, strike the right chord, organize the team, and face a second half that perhaps wasn't exuberant, but much better. And above all, much more effective. Sevilla took a step back in their pressure. They remained tucked in, although the Blaugrana attacks were starting to flow. Lamine threatened with two shots that narrowly missed the goal. But, still with his pride wounded, he pulled off a trademark move, playing with his back to goal and finishing with a tense cross that Raphinha headed into the back of the net.

It was the goal that confirmed the change in trend and began a monologue that lasted for almost the entire second half, where the Andalusians did not shoot on target again until the final stretch. By then, Barça had already scored the third, the work of Raphinha who, once again receiving an assist from Lamine Yamal, faced the goalkeeper and beat him by chipping the ball with his left leg.

It was the Brazilian's last performance, as he was immediately substituted for Adeyemi. The German footballer positioned himself on the left of the attack while Gordon played in the center of the attack. Gordon's minutes as a 9 were not good. The Englishman, who had a great start to the season, has suddenly stalled and needs to score a goal like water in May. Yesterday he had two clear chances but missed both completely.

The negative note of the second half was the injury to Christensen, who had to leave the pitch, dejected, due to a muscle problem in his thigh. The Dane left dejected, downcast, for fear of a new long-term absence. The action was controversial, because the center-back was left stuck on the ground and the referee, who did not call a foul, ended up stopping the game at a moment when Sevilla was attacking dangerously.

Barça reacted in time and Flick was able to make the final rotations in the final stretch of a match that began as a nightmare and ended with a party.