From trading chips to key gentleman! Flick s clever adjustments have brought Rafinia back to Nirvana

On May 7, Barcelona will visit Meazza Stadium and have a life-and-death battle with Inter Milan in the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals. In the first leg of the goal battle, Rafinia hit the crossbar with a powerful and heavy shot, forcing Inter goalkeeper Sommer to score an own goal, retaining hope for Barcelona to advance. Although this goal was eventually counted as an own, Rafinia's highlight performance in the Champions League this season is no longer needed.

This season, Rafinia contributed 12 goals and 9 assists in 13 Champions League games and directly participated in 21 goals. This data is even comparable to the entire Inter Milan team (the total number of goals scored by the Champions League is 22). What's even more amazing is that at the age of 28, he broke the record of Barcelona players' direct participation in the Champions League in a single season (19 goals). This season's terrifying output of 31 goals and 25 assists in 52 games in various competitions has made him the core engine for Barcelona to achieve the four-time champion.

"He almost reshaped my career." Rafinia was grateful when talking about coach Flick. Last summer, the once marginalized Brazilian international script was close to leaving the team, and it was Flick's trust that made him choose to stay at Camp Nou. Rafinia, who has transformed into the left wing, perfectly adapted to Flick's high-pressing system. His unstoppable running and his increasingly refined finishing ability have allowed the Catalan giants to find a new explosive point after losing Dembele.

From Leeds United to Camp Nou, Rafinia's transformation is not smooth. Although he won the La Liga with the team last season, his performance of 10 goals could not hide his ups and downs. When the 16-year-old Yamal emerged on the right wing, Rafinia was once a bargaining chip for trading. Now, he has changed to play against the wing forward and has burst out amazing energy. He has been chasing Gilasi (13 goals) on the Champions League scorer list, and his name has begun to appear in the discussion of the Golden Ball Awards.

"His positive thinking infects the whole team."Flick praised Rafinia's leadership temperament. The Jedi counterattack in the away game against Celta was the good reversal of director Rafinia. After the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals, Rafinia remained awake: "It is unacceptable to concede three goals at home." This insatiable enterprising spirit is exactly the quality that Barcelona needs most to reach the Champions League final.

When the spotlight was focused on Yamal, Rafinia continued to work silently on the left. From the frustrated person who almost left the team to the Golden Ball candidate, Rafinia's rebirth reflected the victory of Flick's tactical revolution.