PRAGUE – Barcelona secured a hard-fought 4-2 victory over Slavia Prague on Wednesday night, keeping their hopes of a top-eight Champions League finish alive. Following the match, head coach Hansi Flick was full of praise for Brazilian star Raphinha, who returned to the starting lineup after a minor thigh injury.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Flick highlighted the importance of giving the 29-year-old forward tactical flexibility. “Sometimes, Rapha is a player who needs a little more freedom, but we also need him in those special spaces,” Flick explained. “He is important, always dangerous for the opponents, and he gives us quality, intensity, and dynamism.”
Um jogador dinâmico, intenso e perigoso! 🇧🇷🔥 Em exclusiva ao nosso @arthurquezada, Hansi Flick voltou a exaltar Raphinha após mais uma vitória do Barça com o brasileiro no time! Desde que ele voltou, os culés reencontraram o caminho da glória? #Entrevista #MFM #HBOMax #PósJogo pic.twitter.com/ExgIOL1wJ6
— TNT Sports BR (@TNTSportsBR) January 22, 2026
A Constant Defender of the Brazilian
This isn’t the first time Flick has publicly backed his captain. Late last year, the German coach made headlines by criticizing Raphinha’s exclusion from the FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11. Flick proactively defended the winger’s influence on the team’s collective performance, citing his decisive numbers throughout the 2024/25 campaign.
The Race for the Top Eight
The victory moves Barcelona into 9th place in the Champions League table with 13 points. The Catalan giants now face a “winner-takes-all” clash in the final round against Copenhagen at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. A win would likely secure their direct qualification for the Round of 16, avoiding the treacherous playoff round.
While Barça eyes the top of the table, Slavia Prague’s European journey comes to an end, as the Czech side remains near the bottom with only three points.
Wilson Gaspar is a football analyst covering the UEFA Champions League, focusing on match previews, tactical reviews, and the performance of Europe’s top clubs throughout the competition.
