Flick's Barça faces the new season with a renewed attacking front full of alternatives. After months of work in the offices, the German coach already has a squad with additions that promise to provide a leap in quality. One of the main focuses during the summer was to strengthen the wings, where the team had shown weaknesses in decisive stretches of last season.
The sporting management, led by Deco, analyzed multiple profiles to support and give Raphinha some rest. The Brazilian had been decisive in several matches, but playing every minute ended up taking its toll on him in the final stretch of the season. This scenario led to activating different options in the market.
Rashford as an unexpected solution, takes the spot
For weeks, Nico Williams was seen as the ideal candidate to strengthen the culé attack. However, negotiations with Athletic did not go well and Barça decided to change course. The final bet was Marcus Rashford, whose arrival caused excitement due to his ability to adapt to different roles within the attacking front.
The English forward quickly fit into Flick's system. His versatility and power in one-on-one situations allowed him to quickly earn a place in the rotation.
This level has led the club to rule out the arrival of other footballers, closing the door to names like Xavi Simons. He now seems set to sign for Chelsea or Bayern Munich.
Raphinha finds peace of mind in Flick's Barça
For Raphinha, Rashford's presence has not been a threat, but a relief. The Brazilian knows he'll have a reliable partner to share minutes and responsibilities on the left wing. This way, he can face the season with more freshness and without the pressure of carrying all the attacking weight in that area.
In the preseason matches, Flick has already shown his hand. Rashford has played both on the left side and in more central positions, while Raphinha has kept a solid and consistent role. This coexistence has allowed the coaching staff to reorganize the attack with greater flexibility, opting for a complementary duo rather than a direct rivalry.