Barcelona managed to secure a 7-1 victory over Valencia in the match held on Sunday evening, part of the 21st round of the Spanish League. Barcelona continues to fight until the last moment for the La Liga title, as the Catalan team trails the leader, Real Madrid, by 7 points.
According to information from the Spanish newspaper “El Nacional,” the discussion about Barcelona’s performance has gained significant momentum in the locker room and among the fans. It is now believed that the team plays better when Robert Lewandowski is not on the pitch. Despite the impressive statistics of the Polish striker, the reality shows that Hansi Flick’s team seems more comfortable and dynamic when relying on a more mobile attack.
Recent matches have sparked controversy, especially after wins over Real Betis in the Copa del Rey and Valencia in La Liga, where Barcelona displayed its best attacking version without its star striker. Flick surprised everyone by leaving Lewandowski on the bench, a decision many considered risky, but it proved successful. Ferran Torres’ ability to move, along with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha’s strength on the wings, resulted in a smoother attack, with quick combinations and high pressure that suffocated the opponent. This was particularly evident against Betis, with Dani Olmo playing as a false nine.
Both Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, the main beneficiaries of this new tactical setup, showed enjoyment on the field when playing with a more mobile forward and urged Flick to continue leaving the Polish striker out of Barcelona’s starting lineup. Ferran Torres’ ability to drop wide, link up, and apply pressure creates more space and allows the wingers to play a bigger role. In contrast, with Lewandowski, the team tends to be more predictable, focusing on sending balls into the box for the Polish striker to finish inside the goal.
The next part of the season will be crucial in determining whether Lewandowski will remain an untouchable figure or whether Flick will continue to bet on a more dynamic and diverse team without him. For now, it seems that the team enjoys a smoother and more fluid attack without Lewandowski.