Raphinha Talks Xavi, Dembele, Gavi, La Liga Title Race, Preferred Position
As Barcelona take on Athletic Club in a crucial La Liga tie this weekend, Raphinha sat down with Catalunya Radio, offering his thoughts on the club’s season so far. The attacker praised Barça for doing well this season, despite their setbacks in Europe.
“There is a lot of excitement. In the last two games, we haven’t been so good, but we’re having a very good season,” he said on Cat Radio’s Tot Costa. “I see a lot of enthusiasm in the dressing room.”
“We know we have to improve. These two games gave us a hard time at the end, but we got the win,” he added.
Raphinha is referring to recent games against Almeria and Valencia, where the club had to dig to get three points. It was the same case even against Real Madrid when the Blaugrana had to rely on Eder Militao’s own goal to secure a one-goal advantage.
“Against Valencia, we played badly one half and well the other. We know that, but the important thing is that we got the win,” Raphinha added. The Brazilian scored the winner in the game against Los Che, even causing a nuisance to the Valencia defenders with his craft and pace.
A win for Barcelona in the upcoming game against Athletic Club, and another next week against Real Madrid could go a long way in helping the Catalans gain a sizable lead at the top and move one step closer to securing the league title.
Raphinha, though, is not thinking so far ahead. “I try not to think that La Liga will be done after these two games. We have to have a head to know that there are more games. We depend on us,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Brazilian international revealed that he sought psychological help for three years and urged footballers to seek help, especially in his day and age of football.
“Three years ago I started psychological treatment. Before, I saw that as something for crazy people, but seeing how important it is for a soccer player and a professional, I took the step. I have been seeing a psychologist for years. I see it as very important,” he said.
Raphinha was also asked about the prospect of playing on the left flank. While the forward did admit he hasn’t played in that position for a long time, he suggested that he would be prepared to play even as a goalkeeper, as long as it helps the team.
“I haven’t played on the left for a long, long time. Almost five years ago. I adapted to playing on the right and I like playing there better. The problem is that when you arrive at a new club, it is important to play in your place to adapt and play well.
“But I spoke with the coach and if he puts me on the left, I want to continue helping, as if he puts me as a goalkeeper,” he said.
Opening up on his equation with Ousmane Dembele, Raphinha added: “Ousmane is one of the players I get on best with in the dressing room. Competition is normal. One has to play and another doesn’t, but when it’s fair, you don’t have to have enmity in the dressing room. I like the way he plays and as a person.”
Talking about the player who surprised him the most at Barcelona, the ex-Leeds United ace picked Gavi, saying:
“Because of his size and age and quality, Gavi, because of the attitude he has on the field, because he is so small but he doesn’t care who he faces, I am very surprised. Many of the players have surprised me, they have a lot of quality.”
On his personal targets for the season, the Brazilian said: “I am never satisfied. At the beginning of the season, I set a target of 10 goals and 10 assists. And if I get there, I go up to five more goals and five more assists. Now I’m close to my first target, but with eight goals and nine assists, so I’m still not satisfied.”
