Mansion Sports – Barcelona winger Raphinha has expressed full confidence ahead of his team’s difficult attempt to overturn a four-goal deficit in the Copa del Rey.

After suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium in the first leg of the semifinal, many have doubted the Blaugrana’s chances of defending their domestic title.

Nevertheless, the Brazil international remains firm in his belief that Camp Nou can witness one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the competition.

The painful defeat in the first leg was also followed by unsatisfactory results in the league, yet Barcelona are striving to rise and restore their confidence. In this high-pressure situation, Raphinha’s optimism has become the main focus.

Confidence in Facing What Is Considered Impossible

In a question-and-answer session on Barcelona’s official YouTube channel, the best player of the 2024-25 season emphasized that his squad have prepared themselves mentally to face the major challenge.

Following the four-goal defeat, Barcelona again experienced negative results in La Liga and fell behind Real Madrid before eventually securing a 3-0 victory over Levante UD. They will also face Villarreal CF, who are in third place in the standings, this weekend.

Raphinha stressed that his team are confident they can deliver their best performance. He stated that if there is a team capable of producing a major comeback, then Barcelona are that team.

He acknowledged that the match will be difficult and the process of turning the situation around will not be simple, but he believes that the squad are ready to face the challenge ahead.

His statement reflects a dressing room that refuses to surrender despite having to confront a Diego Simeone side known for its discipline and organization.

Family Values Under Hansi Flick

One of the factors strengthening Raphinha’s optimism is the internal solidity of the team since being managed by Hansi Flick.
The German coach is considered to have successfully built a cohesive squad capable of competing in various aspects of the game.

Raphinha believes that the personal relationships formed behind the scenes are the main foundation of tactical success on the field.

He explained that the dressing room atmosphere is very positive, with players having very good relationships with one another.

According to him, the togetherness resembles that of a family because they spend more time together than with their respective families, whether traveling, training, or engaging in other activities.

He sees genuine friendship and believes that much of the team’s success stems from that unity.
This sense of togetherness will be tested when Barcelona attempt to break down Atletico’s solid defense in the second leg.

Pride in Wearing the Captain’s Armband

Raphinha’s journey to becoming one of the team captains is proof of his hard work and dedication.

After facing doubts at the beginning of his arrival, he is now entering his second season as one of the team leaders.

He recognizes the magnitude of that responsibility and understands the significance of leading a club with a long history such as FC Barcelona.

He stated that being one of Barcelona’s leaders is something very meaningful.
Since first joining, he has always tried to help the team in every aspect.

For him, becoming Barcelona’s captain is a great honor experienced by only a few players and is an extraordinary privilege that he had never imagined even in his dreams.

This leadership will be greatly needed during this crucial period of the season, both in domestic competitions and in the Champions League.

Overcoming Injury Challenges

Last season, Raphinha recorded impressive statistics with 34 goals and 26 assists in 57 appearances.

However, this season he has faced various physical setbacks that forced him to miss 13 matches due to muscle problems.

The situation has been a challenging experience, especially for a player who relies on explosive energy in his game.

He admitted that injuries bring significant psychological pressure because they prevent players from doing what they love.

According to him, those periods are very difficult and it is often hard to explain why injuries occur.

Nevertheless, he stated that he is now in a much better condition both mentally and physically.
He is striving to restore his best performance after injury and recognizes that it is not easy to immediately return to one hundred percent condition.

However, he feels that he is getting closer to his best version and has full confidence to face the challenges ahead.