Barcelona’s €50M star set to shine in season opener against Valencia

As FC Barcelona prepare to kick off their new season against Valencia this Saturday, all eyes are on Raphinha, the €50 million-rated winger who is expected to start in the crucial opener.

Raphinha primed for a key role on the Left Wing

Barcelona are aiming to break the trend of drawing their last two season openers and Raphinha could be the key to securing a win.

According to SPORT, the Brazilian winger is likely to take up the left-wing position a role that suits his playing style well. With Dani Olmo still unregistered and lacking match fitness, Raphinha’s inclusion in the starting lineup seems almost certain.

Raphinha’s performance in pre-season has been promising, particularly in the match against AC Milan, where his playmaking skills were on full display.

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Though he usually plays as a right winger, his ability to drift centrally from the left wing makes him a versatile threat in Barcelona’s attack. This flexibility is something coach Hansi Flick is eager to exploit as the season progresses.

With the race for Nico Williams appearing to have cooled down, Raphinha stands as Barcelona’s best option on the left side. His solid pre-season form and the ability to adapt to different positions, make him an essential player for Barcelona as they look to start the season on a high note.

As Raphinha steps onto the pitch against Valencia, he’ll be aiming to make a strong impact and help Barcelona secure those all-important three points, especially after the frustration of last season’s opener, where he was sent off against Getafe.