Lewandowski Accepts Substitute Role: Barca Fresher For Clasicos

Lewandowski: “Barcelona will be fresher in the important matches”

The star Barcelona striker, Robert Lewandowski, has stated that the team will be in better physical shape to face the crucial matches of the season. These statements came after the 3-1 victory against Real Oviedo in LaLiga, where Lewandowski came off the bench to boost his team. Real Oviedo took the lead, but Barcelona reacted in the second half. Coach Hansi Flick brought on Lewandowski and Frenkie de Jong, demonstrating the depth of the culé squad. Lewandowski, 37 years old, scored Barcelona’s second goal, keeping the team two points behind the league leader. This was his third goal from the bench in LaLiga this season, making him the top scorer in this facet. The Polish striker was satisfied to play fewer minutes if that allows him to stay in optimal condition throughout the season.

• Source: There is no interest in Flick’s complaints about Yamal.
• Next Clásico: It already has a confirmed date.
• Gavi: Out with a knee injury for up to 5 months.

“We have many games and the season is very long,” commented Lewandowski. “At the end of the preseason I got injured, I was out for three weeks, but then I still felt that I couldn’t give 100%. Now I feel good physically. Sometimes you have to be patient. Of course, for strikers it’s always better to play, but we must be patient and think that more games are coming, more important games.” “We know that last season there were times when we didn’t play well. I don’t want to say we were tired, but not as fresh. So we must know that being fresher for the future means we have more opportunities to be a better team.”

Real Oviedo took the lead thanks to a goal by Alberto Reina from 40 yards after a mistake by Barcelona’s goalkeeper, Joan García. Eric García equalized for Barça in the 56th minute, and Lewandowski, coming off the bench for the fourth time this season, completed the comeback with an impressive header after a cross from De Jong in the 70th minute. Coach Flick, who celebrated his 50th victory in 67 matches as Barcelona’s coach, praised the quality of Lewandowski’s contribution.

“It was important, this is what we know about Robert. He is one of the best in the world in the area. We are happy to have him.”

Hansi Flick, Barcelona coach

Flick also downplayed García’s mistake before Oviedo’s goal and praised Ronald Araújo for his start to the season. “Ronald is an important player for us and I am happy that he scored a goal. For him, maybe it’s a good step, for self-confidence. This is the most important thing for him. I think he also showed this season that he is doing much better than last season. It’s normal. At the moment, everyone is confident and gives us many options.”