Raphinha spearheaded Barcelona's comeback at the Sánchez Pizjuán with a perfect hat-trick, but his most telling contribution was a warning to the referee about Sevilla's physical approach. The Brazilian captain, who now has 12 goals in seven league appearances this season, scored with his right foot, his head, and his left foot to secure a 1-3 win that keeps the team top with 21 points.
The victory, Barcelona's fifth in a row, featured a difficult first half where Youssouf Fofana put the hosts ahead. The Blaugrana reaction after the break, however, was overwhelming. Raphinha levelled the score in the 22nd minute from an Andreas Christensen pass, completing his work with two more goals in the second half, both assisted by Lamine Yamal.
The captain's complaint
What the television cameras did not show was the dialogue between Raphinha and referee Juan Martínez Munuera. Before a Barcelona free-kick near the Sevilla area, the forward approached the official to voice his concern. "Try to be alert to the blocks and the grabbing because they are going to break our backs," Raphinha told him.
The referee's response, picked up by his microphone, was immediate and directed at both players involved in the incident. "Fofana, eh, Rapha, Rapha. Listen, both of you, he grabs and you get rid of it." stated Martínez Munuera. The official added that he had already warned Sevilla players about this conduct and was monitoring the situation.
This episode highlights the physical intensity of the match and Raphinha's capacity to assume leadership on the pitch beyond his goal contributions. His hat-trick against Sevilla adds to the two penalties he scored in the 7-2 rout of Racing Santander. Barcelona's flawless run, with five wins from five matches, can be tracked in our stats section.
With the team five points clear of Atlético Madrid, focus now shifts to the next league fixture. Barcelona host Getafe on October 10th, an opponent currently sitting 11th in the table. The squad, in peak condition, is already working towards that match, the full details of which are on our fixtures page.
First reported at Mundo Deportivo
