"Sensational week in week out", "Best footballer in the world right now" - Fans hail Barcelona star after 5-2 win over Crvena zvezda
Fans heaped praise on Raphinha following Barcelona's victory against Crvena zvezda in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday (November 8). The match ended in a 5-2 win for the Blaugrana at Red Star Stadium.
Barcelona opened the scoring with Inigo Martínez's header through an assist by Raphinha following a set-piece situation just 13 minutes into the match. Crvena zvezda found their equalizer with Silas Katompa Mvumpa's goal, assisted by Rade Krunic, with a through ball in the 27th minute.
Robert Lewandowski doubled the score for the visitors with a left-footed shot from close range to the center of the goal in the 43rd minute. The Polish striker shot again, courtesy of an assist from Jules Kounde, with a cross 10 minutes later. Raphinha netted the fourth goal (55') through another assist by the 25-year-old French defender.
Fermín López, who came off the bench replacing Raphinha in the 58th minute, scored the last goal for Barcelona after being set up by Koundé in the 76th minute. Crvena zvezda's second goal came via Milson who was assisted by Seol Young-Woo in the 84th minute.
Raphinha made 42 touches and two key passes while maintaining a pass accuracy of 78% (25/32). The Brazilian winger had one shot on target and created two big chances in the match against Crvena zvezda.
Fans took to social media to laud Raphinha's performance in the UEFA Champions League. Here are some of the reactions from X:
One fan wrote:
"He’s too sensational week in week out 😭🔥."
Another added:
"He’s the best footballer in the world right now."
"Raphinha's this season stats are exceptional." chimed in another fan.
One account posted:
"Raphinha is the best Brazilian footballer in the world this season, no debate."
Another tweeted:
"Dude is just getting better by the day."
"He is too good this season," posted another.
One user wrote:
"There’s no debate. I don’t want any Madrid fans to bring Vinicius name into this. Raphina is MILES ahead."
While another wrote:
"No one is touching him."
Raphinha has netted 12 goals and provided 10 assists in 16 appearances across competitions for Barcelona this season. Since joining the Catalan club in 2022, the 27-year-old has recorded 31 goals and 34 assists in 102 matches.
Hansi Flick on Barcelona's 5-2 victory against Crvena zvezda in the UCL
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick weighed in on his squad's performance against Crvena zvezda in the UEFA Champions League. The German manager was impressed with the Blaugrana's display against the Serbian club and said (via Football España):
"I’m very happy and I really value what we’re doing. We played very well with the ball and also defending and pressing well. We pushed for 90 minutes. It’s not easy to be focused the whole game against a team like Crvena Zvezda."
Hansi Flick's men maintained a ball possession of 70% while creating five big chances and having nine shots on target against Crvena zvezda.