The transformation of Raphinha and Ousmane Dembélé from wingers to center-forwards at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and FC Barcelona, respectively, has redefined their roles ahead of their clubs’ upcoming encounter. Both players, once primarily associated with wide positions, now operate as central strikers, a shift highlighted by their respective clubs’ tactical adjustments.

Raphinha, who initially joined Barcelona as a right-wing attacker, faced competition from Dembélé in that role. In November 2022, Raphinha publicly stated he preferred challenging Dembélé for the right flank over playing on the left, where he felt uncomfortable. Under coach Hansi Flick, however, Raphinha adapted to the left wing before evolving into a central striker. This transition has proven effective: he has scored 14 goals in 9 official matches this season, with his proximity to the goal enhancing his threat level. “I didn’t expect to adapt so well to this position,” Raphinha acknowledged.

Raphinha’s Adaptation to Center-Forward Role

Raphinha’s shift to center-forward has allowed him to utilize his finishing ability and spatial awareness without needing to cover vast distances. Barcelona’s tactical setup under Xavi Hernández previously centered on Dembélé as a right-wing threat, but Raphinha’s versatility has enabled him to thrive in a more central position. The Brazilian’s success in this role has rendered earlier debates about his placement on the wing obsolete.

When the Brazilian arrived at Barcelona from Leeds, his attributes clearly positioned him on the right flank. However, Xavi Hernández had already established Dembélé as the club’s primary right-wing option, stating publicly that he was the best in that role. Raphinha’s initial preference to compete with Dembélé on the right rather than play on the left—where he felt “uncomfortable”—highlighted the challenge of redefining his position.

Dembélé’s Evolution in Attacking Positions

Dembélé, who was a prolific right-wing attacker at Barcelona, has similarly transitioned to a central role at PSG. With Kylian Mbappé’s departure, coach Luis Enrique reconfigured the attack to allow greater mobility, positioning Dembélé to operate both inside and outside the box. While he still requires space and quick transitions to showcase his skills, his goal-scoring record as a center-forward—47 goals in 74 appearances—demonstrates his effectiveness. However, his performance drops significantly when playing on the left, where he has scored 18 goals in 75 matches.

As a right-wing attacker, he scored 48 goals in 210 matches, a higher total than his 47 goals as a center-forward. The reconfiguration of Raphinha and Dembélé’s roles reflects broader tactical shifts at their clubs, emphasizing their ability to evolve. Raphinha’s 14 goals in 9 games this season and Dembélé’s 47 goals as a center-forward illustrate the impact of these changes.