Due to multiple injuries to his midfield, Paris Saint-Germain manager Thomas Tuchel was forced to start Rafinha against Nimes Olympique last week. Rafinha had prepared well for the fixture as he trained with the club over the October international break. The Brazilian’s hard work paid off as he provided a top performance in his first appearance for the club.
In just 58 minutes of play against Nimes, Rafinha recorded an assist and three goal-scoring chances created. Considering that it was his first fixture in months, he certainly impressed his teammates and the coaching staff. And for the Brazilian, it was a sigh of relief (via PSG TV) to finally play in a competitive fixture after such a long layoff.
“I wasn’t nervous about my debut, but I couldn’t wait to play again,” Rafinha said. “During my preparation with Barcelona, I could not play because of my current transfer. Against Nîmes, it was my first match for a long time, so it was a real joy.
“We played in a system that I know well, so it wasn’t difficult for me to adapt on the pitch.”
Rafinha featured as a base midfielder in Tuchel’s 4-3-3 setup against Nimes. He has played a multitude of fixtures in this formation with Barca and Celta Vigo.
The Brazilian midfielder is set to make to be his second Ligue 1 appearance for the club in its upcoming key fixture against Dijon.
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