Very good without being decisive in the quarter-final first leg, Robert Lewandowski has everything to make PSG jealous, who are still racking their brains over the center forward position.
He was a bit like an inverted mirror, the reflection of what was missing at PSG. On the pitch at the Parc des Princes, a week ago, Robert Lewandowski justified his status as a world-class striker, without a goal or an assist, a rarity which is less and less so for him. The center forward actively participated in the victory of FC Barcelona, in the quarter-final first leg of the Champions League (2-3), relying on his experience, his knowledge of the game, his technical quality and his mobility despite his 35 years.
Through his stalls and his play with his back to goal, Lewandowski put Lucas Beraldo through an ordeal, unable to follow him. The Pole multiplied the rezonings to bring out the Parisian defense and direct the game. The first domino of an imbalance which, on the first goal, forced Gianluigi Donnarumma to make a hazardous intervention far from his six meters, immediate cause of the Raphinha opened the score (37th).
SEE ALSO – Lewandowski’s nice goal against Real-Barça in the final of the Spanish Super Cup last January (4-1)
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Without overplaying, Lewandowski put his faster and more impactful teammates in the best possible position. “There were duels up front, Robert understood it very well and we left one-on-one duels with Lamine (Yamal) and Raphinha”, analyzed Barcelona coach Xavi. Rezoning was also the mission of Marco Asensio, established as false N.9 by Luis Enrique on the Parisian side. The Spaniard’s influence was almost zero, and it was only after his exit at half-time (replaced by Bradley Barcola) that the PSG attack livened up the game.
Lewandowski courted by PSG in 2021 and 2022
A shame for Paris which, last summer, spent €65 million on Gonçalo Ramos, and €90 million on Randal Kolo Muani. Against Barça, the Portuguese came on in the 85th minute, while the Frenchman remained on the bench. There was nothing crazy about Asensio’s tenure: the Spaniard is more comfortable in combined play, more fulfilled in the role of a free electron than his two competitors in this position. Qualities that the Lewandowski all-terrain vehicle does not lack either.
Robert Lewandowski, here in the duel with Vitinha during PSG-Barça in the quarter-final first leg. ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT / AFP
There is even a bit of irony to be detected. In 2021, Lewandowski was already wondering about his future at Bayern Munich, and PSG was ready to welcome him, especially in the event of the departure of Kylian Mbappé. Finally, Mbappé stayed and it was… Lionel Messi who strengthened Paris. Again in 2022 where PSG dreamed of overtaking Barça on the edge in the middle of the summer transfer window. It didn’t work, Bayern sold Lewandowski for €45m to the Blaugrana.
He brought a slew of goals (53 in 87 matches), but also a wealth of experience. Not the most vocal, the 2021 vice-Ballon d’Or nonetheless remains a voice that carries weight in a locker room. “He’s a natural leader.”, estimated Xavi last January. Here too, without encroaching on the expression of the other talents of the attack line.
Now in full possession of its means
However, everything was not rosy this winter. Lewandowski was shaken by came back quickly, perhaps too quickly. The former Dortmund man had only rarely been betrayed by his body in nearly fifteen years at the highest level. Against PSG, Xavi was satisfied with the «pressing» his, “starting with Robert and (Ilkay) Gündogan”. A point, here too, where not all the Parisian attackers were there.
It now remains to be seen which Lewandowski will line up at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium on Tuesday. Will it be the pure scorer, the organizer, the pivot? What adjustments from PSG, and what response from Barça in return? The captain of the Polish selection was suspended against Cadiz on Saturday (0-1 victory) and will therefore be 100% for the capital deadline of Barça, 2nd in Liga without really believing he can catch up with Real Madrid.
