Xavi backs struggling Robert Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski scored Barcelona’s second goal in their 2-1 win over Osasuna on the weekend.
However, it was another match where the former Bayern Munich striker struggled to generate danger in front of goal. He had an effort from outside the box and a header off a cross from Joao Cancelo. The former was easily saved and the latter was waved away due to an offside.
Asked about Lewandowski, manager Xavi Hernandez came to his player’s defense.
“Sometimes we are very demanding. He has given us four points in the last two games,” Xavi said after the match. “We spoke in the week about his role being more positional. He won and scored the penalty. He played really well. And last week he scored the winner, too.”
The caveat being Lewandowski had a tap-in against Villarreal after Lamine Yamal’s shot hit the post. Though credit to Lewandowski who was in the right place to get the tap-in.
In four games he has two goals and while it’s not a bad return, Lewandowski is held to a high standard given what he accomplished at Bayern Munich.
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But it’s fair to say he hasn’t been the same since the World Cup break. He could very well be tired but so far this season, he’s taking one too many touches inside the box and fluffing chances he would usually make.
He’s not entirely to blame either.
Xavi’s new system where he’s using four midfielder has negatively impacted Lewandowski.
With only Raphinha or Yamal on the wing, Lewandowski now needs to be more involved in the build-up, which pulls him out of position. While he may drag defenders with him, it then leaves a void up front that he usually occupies.
Factor in the good run of play from Ferran Torres, it’s not a surprise there are calls for Torres to start in place of Lewandowski.
Next. Barcelona struggle but pull out win against Osasuna. dark
With Ousmane Dembele and Ez Abde sold and Ansu Fati sent out on loan, Barcelona is likely to continue playing with four midfielders. The arrival of Cancelo should help the service Lewandowski gets. We saw an instance of that in the second half in the Osasuna match.