Image via @FCBarcelona on Twitter
Robert Lewandowski took part in his first Clasico yesterday, and was on the wrong end of the 3-1 scoreline. It was a game that felt very similar to the Inter Milan tie in the Champions League earlier in the week, with Barca so desperate to score they forgot why defending is important.
Lewandowski himself had a mixed bag of a game. His first real opportunity came when Raphina fired the ball across the six-yard box, and after Frenkie de Jong missed his sliding effort, the ball reached Lewandowski at the back post. He was always stretching, and as a result managed to scoop the ball over the target. A chance harder than it looked, but for a player of Lewandowski’s quality, a chance you would expect to see taken.
There was a strong shout for a penalty in the second half as Dani Carvajal bundled into Lewandowski’s legs, but it wasn’t given nor was VAR keen to intervene. Given the penalty awarded to Madrid later in the match, you’d have to say there was little difference between the two fouls, but one was given and one was not.
Lewy did at least pick up an assist on the Barca goal, as he neatly flicked Ansu Fati’s cross over to Ferran Torres to tap in.
Yet again, people will be insinuating that Lewandowski went missing in a big game, as it’s almost something people have to suggest by law now. The fact is, he missed one good chance, had a decent penalty claim waved away and grabbed an assist. Furthermore, it’s worth remembering Lewandowski has the third-highest goal contributions in club football so far this season (behind Haaland and Neymar).
Barcelona’s next game is against Villarreal on Thursday, and this could be another potential banana skin given they are ninth in La Liga. Nonetheless it presents an ample opportunity for both Barca and Lewy to get back to winning ways.
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