The prized and unprized jewels who dazzle for Hansi Flick’s Barcelona
Every time Barcelona scored a goal in their 7-2 thrashing of Newcastle United, wingers Raphinha and Lamine Yamal retreated to a corner of the ground, slapped their palms twice before raising both arms aloft and bowing their heads. It’s a ritual they had begun last December, and which the Brazilian described as “the way they greet each other.” Even in the canteen and dressing room. It’s a metaphor of the thrilling union they have stitched up under Hansi Flick as well as Barcelona’s transformation from the Cruyffian ideals of control and organisation to chaos and cinema. Raphinia was involved in six goals, netted a brace, assisted a pair, won the penalty that Yamal converted at the stroke of half-time and essayed the free kick that Marc Bernal nudged in. Yamal, besides his goal, conjured numerous svelte flicks, a gorgeous back-heel, the half-turn that resulted in Barcelona’s second goal and glided along the turf with the lightness of a dancer. In spite of an injury-stalled season, they have struck 40 goals and conceived 24 others. But …
