Flick Backs Raphinha as Central Striker for Valencia Clash

Barcelona head to Mestalla on Sunday with top spot in La Liga within reach, but Hansi Flick is in no mood for experiments up front.

With Real Madrid slipping to a 1-0 defeat at Real Betis on Friday, Barça know a win over Valencia would send them clear at the summit. The temptation to throw on every attacking weapon is obvious. Flick is resisting it.

Jesus to start on the bench

Gabriel Jesus only arrived from Arsenal on Tuesday, and Flick made it clear in his pre-match press conference that the Brazilian is not ready to lead the line yet.

“Of course, he is not 100% ready, but he is prepared to play for a few minutes. We will see how the match goes,” Flick said, praising the forward’s attitude since landing in Barcelona. “It is good to see the way he has worked and how calm he is.”

The message is simple: Jesus is an option, not the solution. Not yet.

Raphinha takes centre stage

If there was any doubt about who Flick trusts most at centre-forward right now, he removed it in a single answer. It is not Hamza Abdelkarim. It is Raphinha.

“At this moment, I think he (Raphinha) is the best option,” the German coach insisted. “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 up. Raphinha has started the season on fire, scoring five goals in Barcelona’s first three La Liga matches — more than any other player in the competition so far. His movement, aggression without the ball and ability to stretch defences have convinced Flick to keep him through the middle.

For Hamza, it is a different story. The young Egyptian has managed only four minutes of league action, coming off the bench against Rayo Vallecano. The Mestalla, with first place on the line, does not look like the night Flick will gamble on him.

Koundé’s versatility underlined

Flick also took time to highlight another key piece of his squad puzzle: Jules Koundé. The defender has not been a regular starter at the beginning of the campaign, but the coach framed that as an opportunity, not a setback.

“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.”

Koundé’s ability to operate both centrally and on the right gives Flick tactical freedom as the season unfolds. For now, though, the focus is sharp: a trip to Valencia, a chance to take control of La Liga, and a clear statement from the coach about who he trusts to lead the line when the pressure is highest.