At a club like Barcelona, which prioritizes developing young talent, the veteran Robert Lewandowski not only doesn’t feel out of place but also plays a leading role. With a recent brace against Valencia, the Polish striker is showing signs of a “revival” under the guidance of new coach Hansi Flick.
The Decline under Coach Xavi
When Lewandowski first arrived in La Liga, he quickly made an impact, scoring 23 goals in 34 matches and becoming the top scorer of La Liga in the 2022/23 season, during which Xavi’s Barcelona won the championship.
In the following season, although still Barcelona’s top scorer, Lewandowski’s efficiency declined. After 35 matches, he managed only 19 goals in La Liga 2023/24, a drop from his previous standard, where he consistently scored at least 22 goals per season for eight consecutive seasons.
Across all competitions, Lewandowski scored 26 goals for Barcelona in the 2023/24 season, seven fewer than the previous season. When Lewandowski’s form dipped, Xavi reportedly suggested selling him to a club in Saudi Arabia. However, it was Xavi who eventually left, not Lewandowski.
After this, there were reports that Lewandowski influenced President Joan Laporta to sign a contract with Hansi Flick. Given the strong relationship between Lewandowski’s agent, Pini Zahavi, and Laporta, it’s not surprising that Barcelona quickly reached an agreement with the German coach. The reunion between Lewandowski and Flick has already shown immediate results.
The “Revival” under Coach Flick
Having just turned 36 today (August 21), Lewandowski may not be young, but he remains the star of the match where Barcelona made a comeback to win 2-1 against Valencia. Thanks to Lewandowski’s two quick goals, Barcelona secured all three points.
Winning is crucial, but even more encouraging is the fact that Lewandowski and Flick are rekindling the glory they once had at Bayern. During two seasons working together at Bayern, Lewandowski scored 83 goals in just 71 matches, averaging 1.16 goals per game.
Lewandowski’s resurgence is partly due to Flick’s ability to maximize his strengths. After the victory against Valencia, Flick expressed his satisfaction at being reunited with his former student: “Lewandowski is a very professional and important player for Barcelona. He not only scored both goals but also actively participated in defensive duties.”
With such praise, Flick is sure to continue building his tactical system around Lewandowski. At 36, while many of his peers are considering retirement, Lewandowski remains a key player at a major club. He just proved his value to Barcelona with a brace against Valencia.
From the way Lewandowski troubled Valencia’s defense, it’s clear that age is just a number for him. For Barcelona, the promising start of Lewandowski and Flick signals a season where the club will greatly benefit from this duo.
