Raphinha Aims to Break Scoring Drought Against Alaves in Upcoming Match
Raphinha has become one of Barcelona’s key attacking players under coach Hansi Flick. However, there is one La Liga team that remains a challenge for the Brazilian: Alaves. The match on Saturday presents a crucial moment for Raphinha, who is seeking to end his personal scoring drought against this particular opponent, having failed to find the net in four previous encounters.
This season, the 29-year-old has made a significant impact, netting 15 goals across all competitions, including 13 in La Liga. Despite this impressive tally, Alaves is among a select group of Spanish teams that have eluded his scoring efforts since he joined Barcelona in 2022. Raphinha has not managed to score against six teams, which includes Granada, Leganes, Levante, Cadiz, Alaves, and Girona. With some of those clubs no longer in the top division, Saturday’s match provides Raphinha a chance to address one of the few gaps in his scoring record.
The unique aspect of Raphinha’s history with Alaves is not just his inability to score, but the fact that Barcelona has enjoyed remarkable success against them despite his lack of contributions on the scoresheet. In the four matches he has played against Alaves, the Catalan club has won each time, with Raphinha still yet to score. His first victory against Alaves came in November 2023, when Barcelona achieved a 2-1 win. Subsequent seasons saw Barcelona claim two more wins, including a 3-0 victory away in October 2024 and a narrow 1-0 win at home in February 2025. The most recent encounter occurred in November 2025, which ended with a 3-1 victory for Barcelona. Across these four matches, the team scored nine goals without Raphinha needing to contribute.
Raphinha’s recent performance adds an intriguing angle to this matchup. After experiencing a setback due to injury while on international duty, he has returned to the field with renewed vigor. His comeback started on October 17 against Real Betis, followed by a game in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain. The forward built momentum during the Clasico against Real Madrid, scoring Barcelona’s sole goal in a 2-1 loss.
With his current form and fitness, Raphinha will be eager to finally find the back of the net against Alaves in today’s match.
