Although his league start has been overwhelming, with nine goals in eight games, the debate has not taken long to emerge with the performance of Robert Lewandowski in Europe. The Pole silenced the doubts generated by his age and, above all, the cost of his signing (45 million fixed euros plus another five in variables) based on goals in the domestic tournament, catapulting Barcelona to the lead, with the invaluable help of Ter Stegen, but his numbers in the so-called “big” games have not been the same. not before him Bayern in Munich (2-0) nor against Inter in Milan (1-0) bothered Neuer and Onana. In fact, he missed very clear chances unthinkable in a striker of his stature.
Criticism has even reached him from his own country. One of the toughest has starred Jerzy Dudek, former Polish goalkeeper for Real Madrid. “Barcelona, on the one hand, beat the weakest teams in LaLiga but, on the other hand, they can’t beat Bayern or Inter in the Champions League. The question also applies to Robert, who scores a lot and regularly in the league, but for now have a problem to show his potential in the Champions League”, criticized Dudek in his ‘Przeglad Sportowy’ column.
Tonight he has the revalidation in a meeting in which you cannot fail. Lewandowski faces Inter again (9:00 p.m. / Movistar Champions League) with the obligation to lead a victory that allows Barcelona to stay alive in the Champions League. With Bayern Munich leading the group, any other result would virtually send the Catalans into the Europa League for the second consecutive year. Simone Inzaghi He knows that by disconnecting the Polish striker he has a lot to gain and that is why he has studied Barcelona’s last game, this past weekend against Celta. Lewandowski, who played the entire ninety minutes, only had one shot on goal, had 27 contacts with the ball and lost some dangerous balls. Ter Stegen made more passes. The attacker was very uncomfortable because neither the second line nor the wingers could associate with him. In Milan it was the three Inter centrals who also found the key to isolate him. The Italian coach will try to repeat the approach with his defensive 1-5-3-2.
Xavi He is aware that he must find the formula so that Lewandowski can shine, but he tries to free the Pole of all pressure. “It’s everyone’s day. Of the team. You have to be a block. Robert must be important, but everyone must step up and play a good game. They should be associated more with the ‘9’ so that he feels more comfortable », explained the coach, who insisted:«Robert was on an island. You have to be closer to him and that will give us more advantages, both for the team and for the player. The coach ruled out Jules Koundé for this match, which he described as “final” after acknowledging that “there is no margin for error.”
