Barcelona reclaimed the league’s top spot with a 3-0 win over Real Oviedo. The Catalans faced a stubborn Oviedo side, managing to keep the first half goalless. However, an improved second-half performance and goals from Raphinha, Dani Olmo, and Lamine Yamal secured all three points for the home team.
Speaking after the game, Raphinha admitted the match was tough and highlighted the team’s struggle in the first half:
“We knew it would be a tough match, a team trying to play and press you as well, even when playing away from home. We weren’t at our best in the first half, but in the second half I think we found ourselves and managed to score the goals, and that’s the most important thing, and that’s what we were looking for.”
When asked about what went wrong early on, he emphasised patience: “I think I’d say patience, our team’s patience. We knew that in the end, their team would try to play and would try to press. We had to be patient to tire them out, especially in the second half. I think we did that well.”
Raphinha also praised Barcelona’s pressing game: “In the end, we have to press up front because that also makes our defensive work easier. Doing a good job with the press up front gives us goals, and many times it gives us the chance to intercept the ball more easily at the back and create more chances.”
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The former Leeds United star was happy with his pressing and goal: “Our idea was to press up front and try to steal as many balls as possible. I tried to press there. Sorry about what happened to the centre-back, but that’s what I was supposed to do, so I was very happy and managed to score the goal.”
Raphinha now has eight goals in 13 matches, but he brushed off comparisons to last season: “No, you all… You all are the ones who can watch the matches more times. I’m doing my job and I think I’m doing the same thing as last season.”
On whether he feels in his best form:
“No, I’ll always tell you that I’m looking for my best moments; I’ll never tell you that I’m at my best moments. I’m someone who always seeks growth, so… I’ll never tell you that these are my best moments.”
Discussing his goal, he added: “Yes, well… You have to try some different things, otherwise it will become too easy for the goalkeepers to wait for it.”
Finally, Raphinha lauded Lamine Yamal’s wonder goal: “A legendary goal, amazing. We on the bench were stunned, it was an amazing goal. The most important thing is that we won the match and got the three points to take back home.”
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