Idman.biz
Rafinha, the forward for the Spanish football team Barcelona, has changed the team's mentality, causing comebacks to become a key strength again.
Idman.Biz reports that the Catalans have achieved consecutive comebacks in the last two difficult matches thanks to the Rafinha-Pedri tandem. While Hansi Flick's team struggled in the tough matches against PSG, Real Madrid, and Chelsea at the beginning of the season, now a competitive dominant game has returned.
Returning from a two-month injury, Rafinha revived the pressing on the field, accelerated the rhythm of attacks, and restored the team's lost spirit. His constant pressure on the field, his demanding nature in the pressing episodes with Dani Olmo, was what Flick missed the most.
Although he did not score in the match against Alaves, he provided a decisive pass to Pedri and played a decisive role in Lamin Yamal's goal episode. Barcelona have turned the score around in five games this season, and four of them happened while Rafinha was on the field.
While Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid lost their rhythm with consecutive points losses in the last month, Flick's team came back from five points behind to rise to the leadership. The period that Flick called "black November" last season has become a nightmare for Madrid this time.
The 3:1 prestigious victory against Atletico confirmed not only the team's result but also its psychological comeback. After the tension between Flick and his assistant Markus Sorg in the Alaves match, Rafinha's calming of the coach caused a great resonance. Rafinha told Flick, "We will improve. We will be much better in the upcoming games." Three days later, the promise was kept: the tension in the technical staff was replaced by smiles.
It should be noted that the head coach of Madrid "Atletico" Diego Simeone also praised Rafinha after yesterday's match: "Rafinha is an incredible player. He can play in any position. As a winger, midfielder, attacker or defender. He can score goals, create goal chances, press and run fast. I still don't understand how he didn't win the 'Golden Ball'. Personally, I would always choose him."
