Hansi Flick has signalled his tactical preference ahead of Barcelona's La Liga clash against Valencia on Sunday, publicly backing Raphinha as his primary option in the striker role while leaving young Egyptian forward Hamza Abdelkarim on the bench. The German coach's comments at Friday's press conference reveal a clear hierarchy as the Catalan giants pursue top spot in the table.
Barcelona travel to the Mestalla seeking to capitalise on Real Madrid's 1-0 defeat to Real Betis, which opened a window for the leaders to extend their advantage. Flick confirmed that new Brazilian signing Gabriel Jesus, who arrived from Arsenal earlier this week, remains below full match fitness but could feature for limited minutes. "Of course, he is not 100% ready, but he is prepared to play for a few minutes," Flick explained. "It is good to see the way he has worked and how calm he is."
Raphinha's Early Form Convinces Flick
The decision to deploy Raphinha rather than Abdelkarim underscores the Brazilian winger's explosive impact since the campaign began. Raphinha has netted five goals in three La Liga matches—a league-leading tally—showcasing the movement and pressing intensity Flick values. "At this moment, I think he is the best option," Flick stated. "He initiates the dynamism of the play and the press and gives us speed." By contrast, Abdelkarim has managed just four minutes of action during Barcelona's recent fixture against Rayo Vallecano, highlighting the stark gap in the pecking order for the false nine role.
Flick also addressed concerns surrounding Jules Koundé, reaffirming the defender's versatility despite a slow start to the season. "He is an incredibly professional player," the coach said, noting that Koundé can operate effectively across multiple defensive positions. The challenge now rests on Koundé regaining the form that defined Barcelona's previous campaign.
With Valencia up next and Jesus easing into Spanish football, Flick's tactical blueprint remains centred on Raphinha's relentless work rate and goal-scoring prowess. The forward's early-season dominance has made him indispensable to Barcelona's title ambitions in La Liga.
