Raphinha: Barcelona 7-0 win proves we don’t need signings

Raphinha says Barcelona showed they do not need new players after scoring a hat-trick in Saturday’s convincing 7-0 win over Real Valladolid at the Olympic Stadium.

Barca brought in Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor earlier this summer, but the transfer window closed on Friday without further signings despite links to several players, including Athletic Club winger Nico Williams, who plays in Raphinha’s left-wing position.

“Today’s game showed that there is no need for new players,” Raphinha told media after Barca won four out of four La Liga games this season under new coach Hansi Flick.

“We are in good shape. The team gives everything in matches and in training. Today’s result shows that what we are working on is coming together.”

Raphinha opened the scoring against Valladolid in the 20th minute with a fine finish after controlling a long pass from centre-back Pau Cubarsí.

Robert Lewandowski and Jules Koundé made it 3-0 before half-time, while Raphinha completed his hat-trick in the second half, before late goals from Olmo and Ferran Torres sealed the victory.

“I don’t know if it was my best performance, but it was definitely one of them,” the Brazil international said of his performance, which also included an assist for Torres’ late goal.

“I’m really happy. It’s my first ever hat-trick. I’m happy to have helped the team win. I feel good. I’ve been working hard since I came back from vacation.

“I knew this was going to be an important season for me and I want to be at my best to help my teammates.”

Barca coach Flick said he hopes this will be the first of many hat-tricks for Raphinha, but also praised the fluid attacking technique.

“I think (Raphinha) has the quality to do that a lot,” Flick said at a news conference. “He did a great job. I think he feels a bit freer on the pitch now.

“For us it’s important that when he moves to another space, another player has the responsibility to go to the space where he normally is. We’re doing a lot of things really well. Rapha is one of the players in the last four games who has done a really fantastic job.”

The victory continues Flick’s perfect start as Barça manager, having replaced Xavi Hernández earlier this summer and previously won 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 on the eve of the first international break of the season.

“The best thing was that the team played the way we wanted from the start, 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 start and pressing.

“When you feel how the fans support us in the stadium, the atmosphere, they feel that there was something special on the pitch today.

“The team has that hunger, after every goal, on the way to the next one. And the intensity has not decreased after 85, 90 minutes. That is good. That is also what makes the supporters proud.

“It makes me proud, but it’s only the fourth game. I know it can change very quickly, 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 still have a long way to go until the end of the season. We want to try to make every game better.”