Discrete league debut from Barça's Rafinha at Real Sociedad
The midfielder made his first start of the La Liga season at Anoeta
Rafinha was the surprise inclusion in Ernesto Valverde's side for Barcelona's trip to Real Sociedad. The coach, making rotations, considered it the right time to bring in the midfielder, who started the Spanish Super Cup but has not played since in three league games.
That dry spell ended at Anoeta, despite Valverde having Arturo Vidal on the bench. The surprise was not because Rafinha played, because he has quality, but because until the final day of the transfer window the club were trying to sell him -- a move to Real Betis fell through. For that reason, it didn't seem normal that Valverde started a player that had been about to leave little more than a week ago.
His performance against La Real was mediocre, especially in the first half. He was unable to generate dangerous openings (Rulli was a spectator in the first half). Rafinha's never found his place and has been unable to give the team that plus that could benefit them.
Curiously, he seemed improved after the break, when Coutinho came on for Semedo. Sergi Roberto dropped back to right-back and Rafinha moved to the right side of midfield. Just when he looked more settled, he was replaced by Sergio Busquets in the 57th minute. One half and 12 minutes of football.
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