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Raphinha<\/a> is tearing up La Liga as Barcelona<\/a>\u2019s new number nine. A hat-trick at the S\u00e1nchez Pizju\u00e1n lifted him to 12 goals after seven matches and underlined a rapid reinvention under Hansi Flick.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n According to El Peri\u00f3dico Mediterr\u00e1neo, the Brazilian had doubts when Flick gave him the role one month and four days ago. The coach also handed him the armband, elevating his status in a position long led by Robert Lewandowski<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n At 1-1 he coaxed a line-breaking pass from Andreas Christensen, killed it with a touch and spin, then finished cleanly. Soon after he made it 1-2 with a classic centre-forward\u2019s header, the fruit of an \u2018Erasmus\u2019 alongside Lewandowski.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n For 1-3 he read the line, stayed onside despite two markers and raced onto Lamine\u2019s pass, the teenager supplying two assists. He beat Vlachodimos with a deft chip, a nod to Txiki Begiristain.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n It sealed a second straight treble in three days, after Racing and Sevilla. Not even Lewandowski\u2019s first season with Flick began like this, he opened 24-25 with seven to Raphinha\u2019s current 12.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Flick set the switch on 16 August, before the 2-5 against Basel, asking if he felt ready to play nine and saying he would use Gordon if not. From the left he had five in 24-25 and three in 25-26, he is now two shy of Lewandowski\u2019s 14 last season in 31 games and four off Ferran Torres\u2019s Liga best of 16 in 33. Flick saw it first.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n