Raphinha says Barcelona showed they do not need any new signings after scoring a hat trick in Saturday’s emphatic 7-0 victory over Real Valladolid at the Olympic Stadium.
Barça brought in Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor earlier this summer but the transfer window closed on Friday without any further additions, despite links with various players, including Athletic Club winger Nico Williams, who plays in Raphinha’s position on the left.
“The game today has shown that there’s no need for new players to come in,” Raphinha told reports after Barça made it four wins from four under new coach Hansi Flick in LaLiga this season.
“We are in good form. The team is giving everything in games and in training. The result today shows what we are working on is coming together.”
Raphinha opened the scoring against Valladolid in the 20th minute with a well taken finish after controlling a fine long pass from centre-back Pau Cubarsí.
Robert Lewandowski and Jules Koundé made it 3-0 before the break, with Raphinha going onto complete his hat trick in the second half before late goals from Olmo and Ferran Torres sealed the rout.
“I don’t know if it was my best performance, but certainly one of them,” the Brazil international said of his display, which also included an assist for Torres’ late goal.
“I am really happy. It’s my first ever hat trick. I am delighted to help the team get the win. I feel good. I have been working hard since coming back from holiday.
“I knew this would be such an important season for me and I want to be at my best to help my teammates.”
Barça coach Flick said he hopes it will be the first of many hat tricks for Raphinha, while also praising the fluidity of his attack.
“I think [Raphinha] has the quality to do that often,” Flick said in a news conference. “He had a great performance. I think he feels a little freer on the pitch right now.
“For us, it’s important if he moves to another space, another player has the responsibility to go in the space he normally is. We make a lot of things very good. Rapha is one of the players in the last four matches who did really fantastic.”
The victory continued Flick’s perfect start as Barça boss after replacing Xavi Hernández earlier this summer, following wins against Valencia, Athletic Club and Rayo Vallecano.
The Blaugrana are the only side in LaLiga with a 100% winning record, but Flick knows things can change quickly heading into the first international break of the season.
“The best thing was that the team played from the beginning how we wanted, that was really good,” the German added. “We said we had to be 100% from the referee’s whistle and we were great, creating chances from the beginning and pressing.
“When you feel how the fans supports us in the stadium, the atmosphere, they can feel there was something special today on the field.
“The team has this hunger, after every goal, going for the next one. And the intensity did not drop after 85, 90 minutes. It’s good. It’s also what makes the supporters proud.
“It makes me proud, but it’s just the fourth match. I know it can change very fast, the season is very long, but of course it’s good because the fans are happy.
“This is what we want to do with our work, but we have a long way until the end of the season. We want to try and make every match better.”
