FC Barcelona lost at the Metropolitano, but they did so without two of their top players: Pedri and Raphinha. Pedri is still working his way back and aims to be available on Sunday the 22nd against Levante. Raphinha is closer: he completed his first group training session on Saturday and is expected to finish his preparations today so that he can be included in the squad tomorrow for the 21:00 match in Girona, even if he may not start.

The data make it clear that Barça miss him when he is absent. All six defeats this season occurred when Raphinha was out of action or limited: in five of those losses he was sidelined by injury, and in the other — against Chelsea — he played only 28 minutes, entering with the score already 3-0. The contrast between results with and without him is striking; his impact goes beyond goals.

Raphinha has missed 15 matches so far this campaign, making this a difficult season physically for him. Without the former Vitória Guimarães, Sporting de Portugal, Rennes and Leeds forward, Barça scores fewer goals (2.33 per match compared to 2.82 with him) and, notably, concedes far more: 1.8 goals per game without him versus 0.77 with him on the pitch.

The team shoots about the same number of times regardless, but shots on target and conversion improve when he plays, as one would expect. Opponents also get more shots on target in his absence — increasing from 3.82 to 4.47 per game — and they encounter less resistance from the Barça side in some measures (a figure that shifts from 59.7% to 79.76%). This helps explain the higher number of goals conceded when he is not available.

Raphinha also contributes defensively. Barcelona wins more duels with him (from 61.15% to 63.15%) and records more interceptions and recoveries. In the opponent's half without him: 74.4 ball recoveries, 30.53 interceptions and 29.12 recoveries; with him those numbers rise to 78.32 recoveries, 32.23 interceptions and 30.82 recoveries in the opposing half.

It is no coincidence that the team has dropped nearly all of its matches when Raphinha has not been fully available. The good news is that his comeback is progressing and he is regaining confidence. Hansi Flick is eager to have him back to lead the team in Girona and through the matches that follow until May, including the Champions League and the Copa comeback operation.