Ferran Torres may be Barcelona’s leading scorer this season, but Robert Lewandowski is making it hard for him to continue the momentum.
That’s good news for Hansi Flick. Lewandowski was always going to be the first choice center forward, but with Ferran in form, the pressure is there for the Poland international to be at his best.
This week, against Real Oviedo and Real Sociedad, that’s exactly what we saw from the Blaugrana sharpshooter.
In both matches, Barcelona went down early, and had to fight
their way back into the game. In both matches as well, Lewandowski snagged the game winners with perfectly taken headers. On Sunday, the clutch goal made it 700 across his illustrious career.
No one on the Barcelona roster comes close to the qualities that Lewandowski possesses, especially with their back to goal, and with the ability to create danger in the air. Ultimately, that’s why in the long run of this season, Ferran will struggle to overtake Lewandowski in Barca’s starting eleven. That’s also why Marcus Rashford won’t be a great candidate as a striker so long as Lewandowski is available.
Who knows what will happen next summer when his contract expires. This season, however, Lewandowski is as valuable as ever to Barcelona.
Hansi Flick will of course need a contingency plan. Lewandowski will need rest to stay at his sharpest, and depth is needed at every position. The idea of playing with a false nine will need to stay in play for that reason, and the Barcelona players will have to know how to adapt when the personnel changes. So far, so good.
Flick is doing a masterful job so far giving everyone playing time, and seeing for himself what options he will have as his disposal as conditions change.
Roony Bardghji had his best minutes yet against Real Sociedad, which should give everyone confidence that the team will be alright if Lamine Yamal or Raphinha can’t play. Dro Fernández had a promising cameo as well. With Fermin Lopez and Gavi out, Flick needs to know he has more players in reserve that he can rely on.
Rashford is looking more and more confident and comfortable as time goes on. Finally, we’re are seeing a glimpse of the former superstar, one who is willing to step into the spotlight and become Barcelona’s protagonist.
At the end of the day, however, Lewandowski needs to score goals for Barcelona to be the most effective version of themselves. Let’s hope that the sitter he missed that could have put away the game was just an aberration. The two game winners this week are what fans should be focused on, and it should make them feel good knowing that even with their backs against the ropes, Barcelona are never out with one of the best strikers in the history of the game on the field.
Lamine Yamal is back now, and made his value felt within minutes of entering the game. But while he was out, his teammates were perfect and found ways to win games, proving to themselves that this Barcelona team can prosper even in the absence of their best player.
This week, Lewandowski stole the headlines. But on any given day, it could be anyone.
Barcelona are back in first place in La Liga where they belong. Week after week, they are getting better and are now starting to hit their stride.
Having Lewandowski back at his best has certainly helped in that regard. As he goes, so goes Barcelona.
They are an attacking powerhouse whose winning formula is simple. Score lots of goals.
Lewandowski will continue to be at the center of that strategy.
