Not only because he rules the area as if it were his own. And it has been for years and years, exhibiting its endless repertoire of pure nine, especially in the Bundesliga. And, of course, in Europe. But the vertical and dynamic football of Xavi’s Barça needed a guy like Robert Lewandowski. Point and end and, at the same time, start point.
His territory goes far beyond the immediate vicinity of the rival area. He is a leader, much more than silent. Barely three days in the League and above his goals (four, two at Anoeta and another two at Valladolid) remains the enormous ability to dominate the games. With and without ball.
He commands in all corners, capable of conquering the authority of his teammates (Eric Garcia looked at him dumbfounded while giving him instructions), intimidating the rival (Real and Valladolid) with his game and having a direct line with the referees, arguing in an accomplice way as if I had been in the Spanish League all my life.
Laporta’s black eye
And it’s only been three weeks, enough for Joan Laporta, who had Ronaldo, the president of Valladolid, to his left, to feel proud of the arduous operation with which he managed to get him out of Munich. The Barça leader was there with a bruised right eye. A domestic accident, sources from the club maintained to explain that shocking Laportian image, which forced him to wear sunglasses to camouflage himself.
The one who did not camouflage himself at any time was the electric, dynamic and suffocating Barça. Suffocating because it drowned Valladolid. Lewandowski, even less so. He invents goals where nothing existed then. This was the case in the third goal connected, again, to the extremes that gallop down the right wing.
At 1-0 it was a beautiful cross from Raphinha; at 3-0 it was an intelligent pass from Dembélé. And the Pole was happy, enjoying like a child his new toy, Barça. It is also no coincidence that Memphis, the nine that Koeman had a year ago, did not play a minute. It is no coincidence either that Aubameyang, the nine that Xavi recruited in winter to reach the Champions League, did not even take off his substitute tracksuit.
Two goals, two shots at the post
Like the sacred cows. Piqué and Jordi Alba were sitting together on the bench. Substitutes already usual, trying to digest this new and unpleasant role. They were not used to this new place that Xavi has placed for them, while Lewandowski, two goals and two shots on the post in about 90 minutes that are a lesson in the center forward trade, acts as the leader of the new Barça. New and renovated Barça. It is enough to see the youthful starting defense, with the debut of Koundé (23 years old), Araujo (23), Eric (21) and Balde (18) as a symbol of true change.
“It’s not just the goals but how he moves and how Lewandowski works. He’s an example for the squad”
Xavi, Barça coach
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“He’s a top striker,” Koundé said admiringly, happy for his 90 minutes, admitting, yes, that he “still needs a while” to find his best moment. And Barça’s four goals came from the right flank, a sign of vitality and freshness, either through Raphinha or Dembélé, who swapped positions.
“Lewandowski is a natural leader, a born worker, he has a lot of humility, it’s wonderful to have him in the group”
Xavi, Barça coach
And Xavi was happy because what he had designed on the blackboard was seen on the pitch because with Leewandowski, everything is much simpler. “It’s not just the goals but how he moves and how he works, he knows when he should appear and has the perfect timing to receive. He is a natural leader, a born worker, he has a lot of humility, it’s wonderful to have him in the group. He is an example for the template”, argued the coach.