BARCELONA, Spain: Barcelona travel to Inter Milan for an exciting second leg of the Champions League semi-final early Wednesday morning, with Raphinha’s final contribution ensuring it was tied 3-3 after the first leg.
For once this season, the statistics did not reflect the Brazilian’s contribution to Barcelona’s third goal when his powerful shot hit the crossbar and bounced off the head of Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer before hitting the net and scoring his own goal.
Despite this, his numbers in the Champions League are impressive and prove Raphinha’s greatness in the attacking machinery of Hansi Flick’s team.
Raphinha scored 12 goals in 13 European matches and assisted nine goals, if you include his assist for Sommer’s own goal, 21 goals – while Inter’s opponents scored 22 goals as a team throughout the competition.
The 28-year-old’s goal tally even surpassed Lionel Messi’s best record of 19 direct goal involvements with the Catalan giants in the Champions League campaign.
Throughout the season, the former Leeds winger scored 31 goals and provided 25 assists in 52 appearances in all competitions, as Barcelona targeted a potential quadruple, with the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup already within reach.
Barcelona’s success on the brink of the Champions League final is proven by the sudden rise of Raphinha in his third season at the club.
On the other hand, he said the Brazilian winger’s rise was due to coach Flick.
“The fact is he practically changed everything for me,” Raphinha said.
“I wanted to leave the club before the season started, it was very important for the coach to change my mind, for me to stay at this club.
“He gave me the confidence to do what I do, he changed everything, he basically changed my career.
“I had my best, best season since I started playing and I owe it to him.”