Barcelona €50 million-rated ace expected to start in season opener vs Valencia

Following the conclusion of their pre-season, FC Barcelona are gearing up to play their first match against Valencia this Saturday.

The Catalan giants will be aiming for a successful start this season, having drawn 0-0 in their last two season openers.

And to achieve the all-important three points, selecting a balanced and strong starting lineup will be essential.

Raphinha poised to start

Now, according to SPORT, Raphinha currently has a high chance to play on the left wing, supported by Alejandro Balde who is known for his ability to overlap and burst up-field.

Absences make it easier for Raphinha to start the first matchday, with Dani Olmo still pending registration and having minimal match practice.

Considering that the Catalan giants appear out of the race for Nico Williams, Raphinha remains Barcelona’s best bet for the position. After all, the Brazilian showed several encouraging signs in the position in the second half of last season.

It must not be forgotten that the 27-year-old primarily plies his trade as a right winger and Barcelona only have Lamine Yamal to rely on in that position.

However, he enjoyed a solid pre-season campaign, conjuring up goals with his playmaking abilities, particularly against AC Milan.

The left-wing position allows Raphinha to drift centrally, where he is most effective—a tactic Flick is eager to capitalize on.

As such, it is unclear where Flick will use Raphinha the most this season. While Flick’s pre-season plan has been clear, it may change as players recover.

Raphinha remains an option on the right wing, where he feels most comfortable and typically played for Barcelona before Lamine Yamal’s breakthrough.

Ultimately, he is expected to play a crucial role this season and will aim for a strong start against Valencia, especially after receiving a red card in last season’s opener against Getafe.

*Player valuation in title obtained from transfermarkt.com on date of publication.