Robert Lewandowski's double kept Barcelona alive. What a Polish evening!
Two goals by Robert Lewandowski gave FC Barcelona victory in Saturday's (February 17) LaLiga match against Celta Vigo. It's a precious triumph.
Let us recall that in the previous LaLiga season, Robert Lewandowski was the top scorer. It was a perfect introduction to the new surroundings of the Pole, who spent the previous eight years (2014-22) in the colors of Bayern Munich. However, the Polish striker moved to FC Barcelona. Effect? Lewandowski and company won the championship title, selling out, among others, eternal and greatest rival, Real Madrid.
Robert Lewandowski with a double for FC Barcelona
The 2023/24 season is no longer so successful in LaLiga for the team from the capital of Catalonia. Barcelona is losing a lot of distance to the leader Real and, more than defending the championship title, it has to worry about being in the top four, which will have a certain place in the Champions League next campaign.
For this to happen, the Catalan team must win matches against those who are weaker than themselves, and not lose points, as has happened several times in the domestic field. One of such matches is the away match against Celta Vigo on Saturday (February 17). The Spanish champions started the match well, because after the first 45 minutes they had a modest but deserved lead.
Lewandowski scored the opening goal for Barcelona. The Pole showed great reception of the ball and quickly fired a juicy shot, which the hosts' goalkeeper couldn't cope with. Taiming and technique, just like in the good old Lewandowski days – either in the previous season in Barcelona – or even earlier, in the colors of Bayern.
A decisive penalty kick was crucial to the success of the Spanish champions
The second half started poorly for the Pride of Catalonia, as the hosts equalized and gained more and more enthusiasm. Iago Aspas found the net for the national champions in the 47th minute of the match and the entire plan prepared by Barcelona in the locker room had to be changed dramatically.
It turns out, however, that despite the hosts' desire to score any points, Lewandowski had completely different plans for that evening. At the very end of the match, already in added time, the Pole took a penalty kick. As befits a team leader, he took advantage of the opportunity, and Barcelona gained three points.
Let us add that for the Pole these were goals number 11 and 12 in the LaLiga season, respectively. Who knows, maybe Lewandowski will soon join the fight for good to defend the top scorer's crown from last campaign. For now, this is a good prognosis for the upcoming Champions League 1/8-final match between Barcelona and SSC Napoli in midweek.
