Barcelona are looking for a striker. Flick is already turning Raphinha into one
Robert Lewandowski has left, Ferran Torres has been sold to Paris Saint-Germain, and Julián Álvarez remains more of a transfer dream than a Barcelona player. Hansi Flick, however, cannot wait for the club to hand him a ready-made solution. Against FC Basel, he began testing the options already available to him.
The most interesting experiment was Raphinha’s central role. The Brazilian operated as a false nine, dropping towards the ball and creating space for teammates attacking from wider positions. It is not completely unfamiliar territory for him, but it can hardly be described as a natural answer to the departure of two strikers.
Barcelona won 5–2, so the experiment did not set off any emergency alarms. That does not mean every problem has disappeared. Raphinha can create space and contribute to the build-up, but the team still needs someone who will consistently occupy the penalty area and finish moves.
Hamza Abdelkarim could be given that opportunity. The Egyptian took another chance by scoring from Karim Adeyemi’s delivery. He moved well without the ball, worked hard in the press and looked like a natural centre-forward. The problem is obvious: Barcelona would be entering the season placing enormous expectations on a player who is still trying to establish himself in the senior squad.
Flick also experimented in midfield. Xavi Espart was used in the double pivot, while Brian Fariñas received more minutes. These are emergency options during Frenkie de Jong’s absence and further evidence that the coach is preparing for the possibility that the transfer department may not complete every planned deal.
None of this confirms Barcelona’s hierarchy for the entire season. These are observations from a preseason match and an attempt to find solutions from within the squad. Barcelona still have the Joan Gamper Trophy match against Al-Ahly to play, giving Flick one final opportunity to test his ideas before the La Liga campaign begins.
Barcelona still want to sign a striker, with Álvarez remaining the most prominent name linked with the club. Until an agreement is reached with Atlético Madrid, Flick must work with what he has. For now, the plan is straightforward: Raphinha can imitate a number nine, Hamza can try to become one, and Barcelona can continue insisting that everything is under control.
