Barcelona are experiencing a period of internal tension in their attacking line, with two of their most prominent players, Rafinha and Lamine Yamal, expressing their dissatisfaction with the current dynamic within the team.
The team has collected five points from a possible 18, allowing Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid to close the gap in the standings, with both teams potentially becoming league leaders in the near future.
According to information from the Spanish newspaper “El Nacional”, despite their clear brilliance and full commitment to both offensive and defensive duties, a feeling of frustration has begun to creep in due to the situation surrounding the team’s striker, Robert Lewandowski. At 36 years old, Lewandowski is struggling to maintain the same level of intensity as his teammates.
In recent matches, Rafinha and Lamine Yamal have taken on almost all the responsibility of pressing the ball, in addition to constantly running to open up spaces in attack. However, Lewandowski’s participation in these tasks has been limited, as the Polish striker has remained more static in the area, focusing on finding scoring opportunities without exerting intense physical effort. While this approach may be justified due to the player’s age, it is beginning to create an imbalance in the attacking trio.
Sources close to the team suggest that Hansi Flick is fully aware of the current situation. Although Lewandowski remains a key player in attack thanks to his prolific goalscoring ability, accumulated physical fatigue and his increasing age have reduced his ability to contribute to tactical tasks such as high pressing or quick attacking moves. This has led to players like Rafinha and Lamine Yamal taking on more responsibility, which could impact their performances in the long term.
Both Rafinha and Lamine Yamal have proven themselves to be indispensable this season. Rafinha is in his best form since joining Barcelona, while young academy star Lamine Yamal continues to impress with his talent and maturity despite his age. While they greatly appreciate Lewandowski’s contribution, both need the team to find a more balanced style of play, so that they are not forced to shoulder the workload off the ball.
With Barcelona’s match against Atletico Madrid in Montjuïc approaching, Flick does not have much time to make the necessary adjustments. This match will be decisive not only in Barcelona’s battle for the top spot in La Liga but also in determining whether the team’s attacking line can regain its balance and effectiveness in the near future.