BARCELONA
Robert Lewandowski defies Xavi Hernandez
The former FC Barcelona coach felt that the Polish striker was no longer up to the challenge of spearheading the Barça attack with his start to the season suggesting otherwise.
Barça have started the 2024-25 season in emphatic fashion with 21 points from seven wins in seven LaLiga games. On Wednesday night, in the Catalan capital, Getafe were the latest side to suffer defeat with the only goal of the contest coming from Robert Lewandowski.
The Polish striker is in inspired form with his goals instrumental in Barça’s magnificent start to the campaign starting in the opening match day with a double in the 1-2 win at Valencia.
At the age of 36, Lewandowski has sent a strong message to former FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez who made a request to club president Laporta to let him go because he considered that he was no longer at the physical or footballing level to be a top player at a top club with the request souring the relationship between the now former coach and the Polish player.
It’s true to say that new club coach Hansi Flick has transformed the side tactically and shown faith in youth team players but the German has also been able to get the best out of Lewandowski with the striker playing with visible added confidence.
Change in dynamic
His positive start to the season has surprised Barcelona. He hasn’t just scored goals but has also been instrumental in helping change the team’s tactics with the veteran striker also helping out with defensive duties and is being perfectly complemented by the likes of Pedri and Raphinha (with the Brazilian, also seemingly reinvigorated under Flick). Lewandowski’s influence in the dressing room has changed too and despite the striker not among the chosen club captains, it’s clear that his experience and football CV holds significant weight among the younger players.
The Pole has another reason for wanting to impress with a clause in his current deal stipulating that should he play less than 55% of the official matches this season, Barça can terminate his contract in June 2025. Barring injury, this does not seem to be a realistic scenario, so everything will depend on matters on the field.
Should Barça maintain their solid start and bag silverware during the season, Lewandowski will stay in the Catalan capital thus putting the brakes on an potential move to MLS that the Polish striker had in mind for the future.