Lewandowski is back: Barça trusts its '9' despite the setback due to injuries

Robert Lewandowski faces the final stretch of the year with renewed hope. The Polish forward has overcome a muscular injury that sidelined him from the team for several weeks and, after completing the last training sessions normally, he is ready to return. Although his numbers have dropped compared to the previous year, at Barça no one doubts that the '9' of the 'Culé' will be decisive again.

Last season, at this point, Lewandowski already had 17 goals in official matches. This year, due to physical problems, he has accumulated 4 goals, all in LaLiga. But the important thing is that Hansi Flick fully trusts that he will recover his best form, just when his goalscoring ability is most needed.

An injury slowed Lewandowski down at the start of the season

Since the start of the season, Lewandowski had been dragging muscular discomfort that finally led to a tear in the biceps femoris of his left thigh. This ailment left him out of combat since the eighth league matchday, forcing Barça to reinvent itself in attack.

Even so, when he has been available, Lewandowski has responded. He scored an express double against Valencia in just 22 minutes, scored coming off the bench against Oviedo (1-3) and also found the net against Real Sociedad, in a key victory (2-1).

Flick confirms his return: he will have minutes against Elche

This Sunday, against Elche, the '9' of the 'Azulgranas' could reappear. This was confirmed by Hansi Flick in the press conference prior to the match: "Robert will be available to, perhaps, add minutes in the second half."

The German coach highly valued the player's effort in his recovery. "He has trained normally during the week and has managed to shorten his recovery time by a couple of weeks compared to what was expected," Flick highlighted.

Total confidence in his goal-scoring ability

At 37, Lewandowski remains a benchmark on and off the field. His ability to decide matches is beyond any doubt, and in the Barça dressing room, they are confident that he will gradually regain his competitive rhythm and return to being the top scorer who arrived from Bayern.

The coaching staff is clear that his presence is key not only for the goals, but also for the hierarchy and experience he transmits to the rest of the group. Therefore, his progressive return will be carefully managed by the coaching staff.