Barcelona Faces Dilemma at Mestalla: Raphinha to Lead Attack
Barcelona’s trip to Mestalla comes with a clear opportunity and a sharp dilemma for Hansi Flick.
Real Madrid’s 1-0 defeat to Real Betis has cracked the title race open early. Beat Valencia on Sunday, and Barcelona move alone at the top of La Liga. But Flick will likely do it without a recognised centre-forward in his starting XI.
Jesus not ready, Hamza set to wait
Gabriel Jesus only arrived from Arsenal on Tuesday. Flick did not try to dress up his condition in the pre-match press conference: the Brazilian is still short of full fitness and will only be used in short bursts if needed.
“Of course, he is not 100% ready, but he is prepared to play for a few minutes. We will see how the match goes. It is good to see the way he has worked and how calm he is,” Flick said, as reported by AS.
So Jesus is on standby, not yet the focal point.
You might expect that to open the door for Hamza Abdelkarim. It doesn’t. The young Egyptian, who has seen just four minutes of league action this season – a brief cameo against Rayo Vallecano – looks set to remain on the fringes, at least for this weekend.
Raphinha up front – Flick’s “best option”
Instead, Flick has nailed his colours to a different Brazilian. For now, the No. 9 is Raphinha in everything but shirt number.
“At this moment, I think he (Raphinha) is the best option,” Flick said. “He initiates the dynamism of the play and the press and gives us speed. For me, he is the best option we have in this position at the moment.”
The numbers back him. Raphinha has started the season in ruthless form, scoring five goals in Barcelona’s first three La Liga matches – more than any other player in the competition so far. His movement, aggression in the press and willingness to stretch defences have convinced Flick to keep him central, even with Jesus in the squad and Hamza pushing from below.
For Abdelkarim, it means patience. For Raphinha, it means another night carrying Barcelona’s attack in one of Spain’s most hostile grounds.
Koundé’s challenge and versatility
Flick also addressed another high-profile name dealing with a different kind of battle: Jules Koundé. The French defender has not been in the starting XI at the beginning of the season, but the coach made it clear he still sees him as a key piece.
“He is an incredibly professional player,” Flick said. “He has not started the matches, but that represents a challenge for him. His task is to reach his best level, as he was in the 2024-2025 season. He can play well in both positions, but as is always the case, the team is the most important thing.”
Centre-back or right-back, Koundé’s versatility remains a card Flick can play as the season wears on and the fixtures pile up.
For now, though, the spotlight falls on Mestalla. A reshaped Barcelona attack, a half-ready Gabriel Jesus, a waiting Hamza Abdelkarim, and a coach convinced that a winger-turned-striker is his sharpest weapon. With top spot on the line this early in the campaign, Flick’s conviction is about to be tested.
