Barcelona’s victory over Benfica in the Champions League Round of 16 provided many important lessons. On the other hand, Lamine Yamal and Pedri once again proved their importance as key players in the team. The Brazilian scored two goals, while the young Spaniard showed great brilliance, further cementing his status as one of the standout performers of the season.
However, according to information from the Spanish newspaper ‘‘El Nacional‘‘ after the match, both players expressed concern about the lack of a key striker to complement the team’s attack. Although Robert Lewandowski has had a stellar season, scoring over 30 goals in all competitions, his performances haven’t fully fit into Hansi Flick’s plan, as was evident in the last match.
While Lewandowski remains a natural goalscorer, his performances in crucial matches have been subpar. In the most recent match, the Polish striker missed several clear opportunities and appeared eager to score, which contrasted with the energy and efficiency of Pedri and Raphinha. At 36, Lewandowski no longer possesses the mobility and speed required by Flick’s style of play, creating an imbalance in Barcelona’s attack.
The newspaper indicated that Pedri and Raphinha are aware of Barcelona’s need to sign a top-quality striker and have identified Swedish forward Alexander Isak as Lewandowski’s potential replacement in the team’s attack next season.
The team cannot rely entirely on the Pole, especially if it wants to compete at the highest level in Europe. Pedri and Raphinha are aware of this, which is why they are urgently calling for reinforcements in the attack.
Lewandowski’s situation is not new. Throughout the season, it has been clear that the Pole is no longer at his physical peak, and his lack of mobility has impacted Barcelona’s offensive performance on several occasions. Although he remains a key player in the dressing room and a reliable scorer, his performances are not enough for a team aiming to win the Champions League.
With Lamine Yamal and Raphinha in top form, Barcelona has two key pieces to build their attack around. However, the absence of a top-class central striker could pose a challenge in the coming seasons. Despite his experience and goals, Lewandowski is no longer the long-term solution, and the club needs to act quickly to address this issue.