Freedom of choice is often seen as a luxury, but for Hansi Flick, it is becoming a genuine tactical headache.
The Barcelona manager is currently facing a balancing act involving Raphinha, a player whose versatility has become both an asset and a complication.
According to AS, Flick has repeatedly experimented with using Raphinha as an attacking midfielder to open up space for Marcus Rashford on the left wing.
On paper, the idea made sense, but in practice, however, the results have been underwhelming, and the effects could end up limiting Rashford’s role rather than enhancing it.
A look at the issue
The core issue is that Raphinha’s influence drops when he is removed from the flank.
On the left wing, he is far more than just an attacker. His runs stretch opposing defences, and his movement creates vital space for Alejandro Balde to surge forward.
While Raphinha often drifts into central areas naturally from the wing, starting wide allows him to choose his moments, rather than being forced into central congestion.
Raphinha, Barcelona player
Raphinha’s versatility is proving to be a problem for Flick. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
The contrast became particularly evident in the match against Espanyol, where natural attacking midfielders, Fermin Lopez and Dani Olmo, stood out.
It raised a valid question – can Barcelona really afford to sideline natural specialists for an experiment that has yet to truly convince?
Statistically, the picture also tells a story. Raphinha’s only goal as a pure number 10 came against Osasuna, where he opened the scoring before adding a second goal once he returned to his preferred role on the wing.
In the other matches where he started centrally, such as against Levante and Espanyol, his performances lacked the sharpness and influence expected from that position.
So what now?
So now, all eyes turn to the Spanish Super Cup, where there is growing curiosity around Flick’s next move, but the signs point towards Raphinha returning to the left wing, with Olmo or Fermin taking up the attacking midfield role.
But then again, that decision could have wider implications.
This is because Rashford’s minutes may suffer, and with the Englishman keen to stay but eager for a bigger role, Flick’s choice could shape not just the Super Cup line-up, but Barcelona’s attacking future as well.