El Clasico is fast approaching, and Barcelona’s star striker, Robert Lewandowski, is eager to prove his worth after missing the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal against Real Madrid due to an injury. The Polish forward has been a key player for Barcelona this season, scoring 25 goals in all competitions. With the decisive match now in sight, Lewandowski aims to showcase his skills and help his team secure a spot in the final.
Barcelona vs. Real Madrid – The Most Significant Fixture of the Season
For Barcelona supporters and the club’s hierarchy, El Clasico is not just another match; it’s a defining moment of the season. Despite losing 3-1 to Real Madrid in their previous encounter in October, Barcelona has since found their form and opted for new signings who are better embedded into the team. In January, Lewandowski played a vital role in Barcelona’s 3-1 victory over Real Madrid in the Super Cup final. Since then, they have gone on to win the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal 1-0 and beat Real Madrid 2-1 two weeks later in a La Liga fixture.
FC Barcelona’s Strategy for the Decisive Match
FC Barcelona is entirely focused on their upcoming clash against Real Madrid as they look to defend their advantage and qualify for the final. For that reason, Xavi Hernandez must plan a solid strategy to overcome Carlo Ancelotti’s team. The team plays better with four midfielders on the field, so with Pedri Gonzalez confirmed absent and Frenkie De Jong doubtful due to injury, Busquets, Sergi Roberto, Gavi, and Franck Kessié are likely choices. Lewandowski will be in forward position, and Raphinha is the most probable player that will play alongside him.
Lewandowski’s Performance in Decisive Games This Season
Lewandowski’s season has been prolific, with good statistical figures to show, but he has struggled in decisive games this season. He had only one clear chance in the Copa del Rey semifinal first leg against Real Madrid, which was denied by Thibaut Courtois. In the UEFA Champions League group stage matches against Inter Milan and Bayern Munich, he failed to score. However, he scored and assisted in the Supercopa Spanish final, which was his best game against Real Madrid this season. At the Europa League playoff against Manchester United, he scored a penalty, but it wasn’t sufficient to take his team through to the next round.
Overall, he has scored four goals and provided one assist in ten decisive games this season. Despite his good overall numbers this season, Lewandowski knows that he needs to perform better in big games to meet the expectations of the team and the fans. With his “irrepressible nature” on full display in a recent match against Elche billed as one of his excellent performances of all time, fans are hopeful that he’ll bring that same energy to El Clasico.
Conclusion
As Barcelona and Real Madrid prepare for their much-anticipated El Clasico match scheduled for 20th April 2022 at Camp Nou stadium, fans are eagerly anticipating an excellent performance from Robert Lewandowski. The Polish striker hasn’t yet displayed his best form in decisive games this season; however, fans remain optimistic that this will be the day when he’ll showcase his skills and help Barcelona triumph over their arch-rivals.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
