Hansi Flick hailed Raphinha after the Brazilian scored two goals as Barcelona came from behind to beat Celta Vigo on Saturday and move seven points clear at the top of La Liga.
Raphinha converted a 98th-minute penalty as Flick’s side avoided an almighty scare after coming from 3-1 down to win 4-3 at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
Ferran Torres had given Barca the lead after 12 minutes, but Borja Iglesias hit back for the visitors just three minutes later.
Iglesias added two more goals after the break to complete his hattrick with the table toppers – who reached the Champions League semi-final in midweek – well and truly rattled.
Dani Olmo then pulled one back before Raphinha levelled the score five minutes later.
It looked as though the hosts would have to settle for a point but deep into second-half stoppage time, Barcelona were awarded a spot-kick, which the Brazilian duly converted to spark jubilant scenes from the Barca camp.
🔥 FULL TIME!!!! 🔥
WHAT A COMEBACK!
WHAT A COMEBACK!
WHAT A COMEBACK!
WHAT A COMEBACK!#BARÇACELTA pic.twitter.com/PtCxHbhRcL— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 19, 2025
However, striker Robert Lewandowski had earlier been forced off with an injury that may rule him out of both the Copa del Rey final showdown with Real Madrid next weekend and the Champions League semi-final first-leg against Inter.
But the Barca boss remained in a positive mood after the game.
“When you win, you like these games,” said Flick.
“We played against a good team, and I said it yesterday in the press conference: they have a clear idea of what they want with this coach.”
“I think that everyone can see that the team didn’t give up, they did their best for 90 minutes and we got the 3 points.”
Speaking about his matchwinner, Flick was full of praise: “Raphinha is very important, I love him, like the other players, but he is a leader, he always has that positive thinking that he manages to pass on to the rest of his teammates.
“I told him at half-time: ‘Come on, think positively, we need you on the pitch as a leader.’ He then put in a great performance.”
With six league games remaining, Barcelona sit rather comfortably at the top of the table. Real Madrid, however, have a game in hand.
Los Blancos host Athletic Bilbao, fresh from their Europa League quarter-final triumph against Rangers on Thursday, at the Bernabeu on Sunday.
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