FC Barcelona v Aston Villa FC - UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD4
BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 03: Raphinha of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring their side’s saecond goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD4 match between FC Barcelona and Aston Villa FC at Camp Nou on November 03, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Pablo Rodriguez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Gill Clark Gill Clark is the site manager of Barca Blaugranes and joined in 2017. She has worked in sports media as a writer and editor for the best part of two decades and has been in love with the beautiful game for as long as she can remember.
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has made no secret of the fact that he’s a big fan of Barcelona captain Raphinha and has showered the Brazilian with more praise ahead of Sunday’s big game between the two sides.
Raphinha heads into the match as La Liga’s top scorer on 15 goals and Simeone says he’s been incredible in his new role as a No. 9 for Hansi Flick’s side.
“I’ll say it again, as I said several times last season: for me, he’s an extraordinary footballer with work rate, speed, goals, and assists,” he told a pre-match press conference.
“The truth is, he had an incredible season last year, and now he’s started brilliantly playing in a different position, which he also does very well and which gives a team with many options a lot of tools.”
Simeone also spoke about how Barcelona have changed this season following the departure of Robert Lewandowski in the summer.
“If we have to pinpoint what’s changed compared to last season, it’s that before with Lewandowski they had a more positional striker,” he explained.
“Now, the positioning changes with Dani Olmo, who is different from Raphinha, and that’s where the difference lies: Olmo can drop into the attacking midfield role to link up play.
“The team has lost its focal point because of Lewandowski, and defending is more complex because Raphinha isn’t the same as a traditional number nine in the box.”
Barcelona know a win against Atletico on Sunday will see them move five points clear of Simeone’s side, while a home victory will propel Los Colchoneros above the champions in the table.
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