Barcelona’s search for consistent goals has resurfaced as a critical issue at the most crucial stage of the season, with both La Liga and the Champions League hanging in the balance. As the team approaches a decisive stretch, including a Champions League quarterfinal push, analysis from Àlex Delmàs on the program ‘La Posesión de SPORT’ highlights a clear problem: a lack of firepower up front and the require to reassess the profile of their future center forward.
Delmàs dissected the current situation, focusing on the underwhelming goalscoring form of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres. Together, the pair have managed just nine goals in 20 games played in 2026, a concerning drought in recent weeks. This lack of clinical finishing is placing immense pressure on Barcelona as they navigate a challenging schedule.
The diagnosis for Lewandowski, according to Delmàs, centers around physical limitations. “He’s not agile, he doesn’t turn well. I’m seeing him more passive than usual,” Delmàs noted, pointing to accumulated minutes and age as contributing factors. Recent statistics support this assessment: Lewandowski has only managed six shots in his last three matches, with just one on target – an unusual statistic for a player of his caliber. The proposed solution, Delmàs suggests, is to manage his workload and reduce his playing time to regain freshness.
Ferran Torres se lamenta durante el Girona-Barça de LaLiga 2025/26 / Gorka Urresola Elvira
Ferran Torres’ situation is quite different. “It’s mental, the opposite case, he moves with confidence,” Delmàs asserted. Torres experiences peaks and valleys in form, as evidenced by his season: 16 goals, with eight scored in a single month. The analyst believes the key is to provide him with consistent playing time to rebuild his confidence and rediscover his scoring touch in crucial matches.
Looking at alternatives, Delmàs points to Dani Olmo as a viable option in a false nine role – a strategy that coach Hansi Flick hasn’t dismissed. Other possibilities, such as deploying Marcus Rashford as a central striker or shifting Lamine Yamal to the center, are considered less convincing due to their potential impact on the team’s collective play, with Yamal being more effective from the wing.
Barcelona and Flick are facing a dilemma: reignite the goalscoring threat to advance past Newcastle and simultaneously identify the right profile for a striker to lead the team for the remainder of the season in both La Liga and the Champions League. According to Delmàs, regardless of whether solutions to revitalize Lewandowski and Ferran succeed, Barcelona “is already late” in implementing the Olmo alternative.
Dani Olmo y Fernín López se abrazan tras un gol del FC Barcelona / Dani Barbeito
The discussion extends to the long-term solution at the number nine position, a debate far from settled and one that will heavily influence the next transfer window. Delmàs highlighted Julián Álvarez as a potential target, but cautioned against limiting options. He emphasized that the ideal profile should complement the team’s style of play. Specifically, he argued that Barcelona needs a modern ‘9’, one who isn’t solely a positional striker, particularly given the potential development of Lamine Yamal. “He must be a profile that can do more than just finish,” Delmàs explained, valuing the ability of players like Julián to move, link up with teammates, and attack spaces. He even drew a comparison to Erling Haaland, whose profile, despite his goalscoring prowess, raises questions in a team that prioritizes possession.
Barcelona’s recent results in La Liga present a mixed bag. As of March 15, 2026, they secured a 5-2 victory over Sevilla at Spotify Camp Nou. Official La Liga results show a win against Athletic Club on March 7th, and a 4-1 triumph over Villarreal on February 28th. However, they were eliminated from the Copa del Rey by Atlético Madrid on March 3rd, losing 3-0 on aggregate. The Champions League campaign saw a 1-1 draw against Newcastle United on March 10th, setting up a crucial return leg. These results underscore the urgency of resolving the striker issue.
The next challenge for Barcelona is the second leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie against Newcastle United. The match will be played at St. James’ Park, and the outcome will determine their progression in the competition. The team will then return to La Liga action, continuing their pursuit of the league title. Fans can stay updated on official team news and schedules through the FC Barcelona official website.
What do you reckon? Is Dani Olmo the answer to Barcelona’s striking woes, or should the club pursue other options in the transfer market? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
