FC BARCELONA
Espanyol-Barça: Lewandowski aims to start against the 'pericos' after Ferran Torres' absence
Published New:15/05/2025 - 02:17h
Updated New:15/05/2025 - 02:19h
The unexpected absence of Ferran Torres due to appendicitis opens the door for Lewandowski to lead Barcelona's attack against Espanyol
One of the great unknowns that Hansi Flick resolved in the press conference prior to the match between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona was the physical condition of Robert Lewandowski. The Polish striker, since returning to the squad after overcoming an injury to the semitendinosus muscle of his left thigh, has had little participation: he played the last 30 minutes of extra time against Inter Milan (4-3) at the Giuseppe Meazza and remained on the bench against Real Madrid (4-3) in LaLiga EA Sports.
When asked about the striker's situation, Hansi Flick was direct and dispelled any rumors: "He is fine and ready to play." This situation opened the debate about who would occupy the '9' position against the 'perico' team: would Hansi Flick bet on the return of Lewandowski or would he keep Ferran Torres as the offensive reference?
This dilemma was unexpectedly resolved with the absence of the 'Shark', who underwent surgery for appendicitis. His absence clears the way for the Warsaw native to lead the offensive front of Barça in this duel.
Robert Lewandowski's biceps. 😳 pic.twitter.com/ifwGBxhMcz
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 14, 2025
Lewandowski has a clear objective: the 'Pichichi'
If Lewandowski is in full physical condition, there should be no doubts about his starting position. Beyond his hierarchy as one of the best '9's in the world, the Warsaw native may have a specific personal objective: to win the Pichichi Trophy at the end of the 2024-25 season.
- 📌 ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI'S NUMBERS IN THE 2024-25 SEASON WITH FC BARCELONA: 40 goals and three assists in 49 matches.
Currently, 'Lewy' has lost some ground to Kylian Mbappé (the Frenchman has 28 goals and the Pole 25), so every minute on the field counts to close the gap and regain the lead in the scorers' table.
In turn, Lewandowski already knows what it's like to score against RCD Espanyol. In the three matches in which he has faced the 'pericos' with the culé jersey, he has scored in one of them, but twice. It was on matchday 34 of the 2022-23 season, at the RCDE Stadium, in a match that served for FC Barcelona to be proclaimed League champions. A scenario that, curiously, could be repeated.
With Ferran Torres out of action and the 'Pichichi' still in dispute, all eyes are on Robert Lewandowski. He already knows what it's like to score against Espanyol in a decisive context, and now he will have a new opportunity to lead Barcelona in the final stretch of the season. Will this be the match in which 'Lewy' once again demonstrates why he is one of the most lethal '9's in the world?
