Barcelona is getting ready for a decisive Catalan derby in opposition to Girona, however one of many largest speaking factors isn’t simply the crew’s try to bounce again from consecutive defeats — it’s the absence of Robert Lewandowski. The Polish striker, often a assured starter and the face of Barca’s assault, gained’t function in Saturday’s conflict on the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. The rationale for his omission has been formally revealed, however not earlier than it sparked confusion in each Spain and Poland.
After back-to-back losses in opposition to Paris Saint-Germain within the Champions League and Sevilla in La Liga, Barcelona returns from the worldwide break with its title ambitions at stake. The Blaugrana is second within the league desk, two factors behind leaders Actual Madrid, and desperately wants a win to revive confidence earlier than the season’s first El Clasico on the Santiago Bernabeu on October 26.
Hansi Flick‘s gamers’ subsequent run of fixtures will outline their early season. Following the Girona match, Barcelona will host Olympiacos in midweek European motion earlier than heading to Madrid. A win on Saturday would ship them again to the highest of La Liga, no less than quickly, with Actual Madrid not taking part in till Sunday.
However the problem grows steeper with a deepening harm disaster. Flick shall be with out seven first-team gamers, together with Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Raphinha, and Ferran Torres. And now, the crew’s most skilled ahead has joined the listing — Robert Lewandowski.
Why Robert Lewandowski is lacking
The thriller surrounding Lewandowski’s absence has been a serious speaking level throughout Europe. The official rationalization, confirmed by Barcelona’s medical report, is that the ahead suffered a muscle pressure in his left hamstring whereas on worldwide obligation with Poland. The membership kept away from specifying a precise return date, however Spanish each day Diario AS estimated that Lewandowski could possibly be out for round 4 weeks — successfully ruling him out of El Clasico.
“Lewandowski suffered an harm to his left thigh and can bear a restoration program,” learn Barcelona’s transient assertion. The announcement instantly sparked debate after the Polish nationwide crew provided a conflicting account.
Poland goes in opposition to Barcelona and Flick
Jan City, Poland’s nationwide crew coach, questioned the prognosis publicly, casting doubt over Barcelona’s medical evaluation. Talking to Catalunya Radio, City acknowledged, “For me, a muscle tear doesn’t can help you run at full pace. Everyone knows that in soccer. I don’t perceive it.”
City defined that Lewandowski had accomplished 90 minutes in a current World Cup Qualifier in opposition to Lithuania, even scoring within the match. “Sure, he stated he felt one thing, however he performed with none points till the tip,” he added. “He wasn’t injured in any respect. We merely determined to relaxation him within the first recreation to present minutes to different gamers.”
His phrases straight contradicted Barcelona’s medical report, leaving followers unsure concerning the true extent of the issue. City finally softened his tone, acknowledging that “when there are such a lot of matches, it’s not value risking a participant’s well being.”
In his pre-match press convention, Hansi Flick addressed the state of affairs and dismissed hypothesis that Lewandowski had uncared for his personal health. “I don’t assume there’s a participant who takes higher care of his physique than Robert,” stated the coach. “He at all times takes nice care of himself. There’s nobody his age, possibly Ronaldo, who’s in such fine condition.”
The German boss added that the Polish ahead didn’t initially really feel ache and was stunned by the prognosis himself. “Robert advised me he didn’t assume he had an harm. It’s unhealthy for us, however we now have to work on this,” he stated, acknowledging how disruptive the worldwide break had been for his squad.
