From Townsville to Brisbane and then on towards Calcutta, Brazil’s Australian tour has become an unexpectedly demanding detour for Barcelona. Raphinha, already carrying the responsibility of a blistering opening to the club season, is set to remain central to Carlo Ancelotti’s plans for the Seleção despite the concern that another long international journey could add to his workload before a difficult October in Catalonia.
The Barcelona forward played the full 90 minutes in Friday’s 1-1 draw with Australia, the only Brazilian attacker to do so. Vinicius Junior and Endrick were both withdrawn on 65 minutes, while Chelsea’s Estevao left the match in the 76th. Raphinha stayed on as an attacking midfielder and supplied the corner from which Rayan headed Brazil’s late equaliser in the 85th minute.
For Ancelotti, newly installed as Brazil coach after ending his second spell at Real Madrid, the trip across the world is not being treated as a casual exhibition. His side were criticised after their World Cup campaign ended against Norway in the last 16, and the Italian wants a firmer response after the first Australian stalemate. His agreement with Brazil runs until 2030.
Raphinha likely to lead the line in Brisbane
Brazil meet Australia again on Tuesday in Brisbane, with kick-off scheduled for 12.10pm Spanish time. Ancelotti has been working with Raphinha as the centre-forward rather than Endrick, following a role that has also brought spectacular returns under Hansi Flick at Barcelona.
Flick has used the Brazilian as the focal point of his attack since the beginning of the campaign, and Raphinha has responded with 14 goals in eight appearances. That form has made him indispensable for club and country, but also leaves Barcelona watching the international minutes closely.
Raphinha, Vinicius and Arsenal midfielder Bruno Guimaraes are expected to be the only players retained from Friday’s starting team. It would mean another prominent assignment for Raphinha at the end of a journey that will not finish in Queensland.
Calcutta stop before Barcelona’s October
Brazil are due to face India in Calcutta on Saturday 3 October, at 4pm, with Raphinha also expected to be one of the principal attractions for the local crowd. The match adds another fixture and another continent before he returns to Barcelona.
The timing is awkward for the Spanish club. October brings a sequence of significant tests against Getafe, Galatasaray, Real Betis, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, and Barcelona will hope their leading scorer returns from Brazil duty with both his form and his energy intact.
