Image via @FCBarcelona on Twitter
Last night saw a performance that some pundits have seen fit to call Robert Lewandowski’s finest in a Barcelona shirt. Whilst I wouldn’t personally go that far, it was a performance the likes of which have not been seen away to Atletico Madrid for a long time; indeed, the last person to have three goal involvements away to Atletico was Cristiano Ronaldo eight years prior.
His first involvement, an assist to Joao Felix, was impressive considering all the criticism (usually from those somewhat uninformed) that Lewandowski is not a “playmaking striker”. Receiving a ball from Ilkay Gundogan after a bending run into the box, Lewy showed quick feet to slide the ball across to Felix for a tap-in.
The second goal involvement for him, his actual goal, was probably the most aesthetically-pleasing that Lewandowski has scored in some time. Taking the ball slightly wider than he would’ve liked, he wrapped his foot around the ball with force, whipping the bouncing ball back across goal and in off the far post. It was very much a goal that reminded those who don’t keep as close an eye on Lewy that he is still unquestionably a top-quality striker, even if he is in the twilight of his career now.
Third came Lewandowski’s second assist of the night, a wonderful floated ball from the right side which perfectly met the head of the darting Fermin Lopez, who capped off a fairly dominant Barca performance and 3-0 away victory.
There have been harsh, but fair criticisms of Lewy this season given how his standards appeared to have really slipped prior to the start of 2024, even when you consider the overview of how his 18 months at Barcelona have gone. For all the praise of how good Barcelona’s defence was last season, they would not have won the trophies they did without Lewandowski’s attacking contributions, and there have been plenty of times since Lewy’s start at the Catalan club where he has looked like the only attacking player capable of making something happen.
This season is almost the reverse of Barca’s previous one; poor defensively but more balanced in attack, and playing much better in European competition. For Lewandowski’s part in that, he has been underwhelming for both Barcelona and Poland in the last few months of 2023, but 2024 has shown him playing much better for his club and hopefully this will transfer to his role in the national team as well.
Today has seen the first training and press conference for Poland as we enter this crucial international break. Lewy has spoken well about the team’s desire to progress past Estonia and hopefully also Wales or Finland, Michał Probierz has said that Lewandowski (alongside Jakub Kiwior) is a key player given club form, and there have been plenty of other pleasing platitudes.
Ultimately Thursday night is what matters and what both men will be judged on, with that match against Estonia now just three days away.
For more, follow @ekstraklasaexp on Twitter and @ekstraklasaexports on Instagram to know when new posts go live.
Comments