Raphinha leads Barcelona’s penalty pecking order under Flick

Barcelona have awarded themselves five penalties this season, including three in their match against Racing Santander on Wednesday, with Raphinha emerging as the leading figure in deciding who takes them.

It is unusual for a team to receive three spot-kicks in one game, but Barcelona’s sustained attacking pressure overwhelmed Racing. Two of the decisions also followed reckless challenges by defender Pedro Henrique.

The question of penalty takers has nevertheless become a subject of discussion at the start of the campaign, according to Spanish newspaper Sport.

“There is naturally no reason to worry because the team is moving at full speed,” the report said.

What is more revealing is how the order is managed inside the dressing room and who has the final say. That process varies between clubs. In some teams, the manager chooses the taker according to the circumstances and the players on the pitch.

At Barcelona, Hans Flick has placed his full trust in Jose Ramon de la Fuente and Heiko Westermann. The goalkeeping coach has played an important role in set pieces since the German manager arrived. Language is also a factor: he regularly motivates the squad and reminds players, often loudly, of their responsibilities.

Westermann, Flick’s assistant, also has a major role in the team’s strategy. That includes penalties.

Flick is not detached from the issue, but he delegates responsibility to his staff because of his complete confidence in them. Barcelona have worked effectively on this area for months, with Marcus Rashford making an important contribution last season.

Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha have taken Barcelona’s penalties this season. Rashford was particularly effective with his powerful, direct technique, but the gap left by his departure has been covered by other options.

“I do not decide who takes the penalty; the members of the coaching staff decide that,” Flick said recently. “Whoever feels ready to take it, takes it.”

He also made clear that the players themselves make the final decision on the pitch.

Raphinha is the senior figure in that hierarchy, as was evident at Spotify Camp Nou on Wednesday. He took the first penalty after winning it himself and scored. The second was awarded after Karim Adeyemi was fouled and was left to Lamine Yamal, who missed. Raphinha then converted the third penalty, also won by Adeyemi, to complete his hat-trick.

The player who earns a penalty can influence the decision. After Adeyemi was fouled for the second time, the German looked towards Raphinha and asked him to take it, recognising that the Brazilian was first choice and had the authority to decide.

Yamal is next in the order. Against Levante, he won a penalty with Barcelona leading 2-0 and took it with Raphinha’s approval.

When a penalty is awarded, any Barcelona player who picks up the ball heads straight to Raphinha so he can make the decision. He is currently the team’s most trusted taker, although other players are given opportunities when the scoreline is comfortable.