Lewandowski opens Xavi's eyes.

Barcelona still placed their faith in Robert Lewandowski, even though the Polish striker was no longer young. Ultimately, the former Bayern Munich star proved his worth.

At 36 years old, Lewandowski remains one of the best strikers in the world .

Towards the end of last season, Barcelona went through a turbulent period, with rumors and uncertainty surrounding the future of coach Xavi Hernandez spreading everywhere. From his delay in deciding whether to leave to a controversial evening, followed by a surprising contract extension announcement, these events led many to doubt Xavi's ability to lead the team in the future.

Xavi's theory

In particular, one of the most frequently discussed issues is whether Barcelona can build a European-level team with a striker who has already turned 36. Xavi, along with a large number of fans and experts, believes that Lewandowski is no longer a player capable of carrying the responsibility of a major club like Barcelona.

Those thoughts weren't unfounded. Lewandowski is no longer young, and at a top club like Barcelona, ​​a striker of this age faces many challenges. He needs high form, agility, and especially the ability to participate in pressing – something Xavi highly values ​​in his playing style. Considered unlikely to continue carrying the responsibility of leading the team's attack, Lewandowski faced considerable skepticism from both the coaching staff and the fans.

But the current season proves a completely different story. With 40 goals in 40 games, Lewandowski has not only proven his worth but also completely refuted Xavi's theory that it's impossible to build a great team with a striker at the age of 36. In the 2024/25 season, Lewandowski demonstrated exceptional goal-scoring ability, becoming a key factor in Barcelona's changing playing style under Hansi Flick.

Lewandowski's Barcelona are thriving.

What few people know is that, last summer, coach Flick had two important conversations with players he believed would be key members of his Barcelona squad. The first conversation was with Ilkay Gundogan, one of the season's key new signings. Flick told Gundogan frankly that he couldn't consider him part of the starting lineup if the player couldn't meet the intensity of the pressing he expected.

"He can't compare to Fermín, Gavi, or Olmo in terms of defensive contributions," Flick said. This is a clear statement about how modern football demands players who are not only good at attacking but also capable of proactive defending.

The second conversation was with Lewandowski. Flick pointed out that in his system, Lewandowski isn't the first to participate in the pressing, but if he doesn't work hard and get involved in the defensive play, he'll be left out of the lineup.

"If you don't run, you'll have to leave, whether you have to go up against Pini Zahavi (Lewandowski's agent) or not," Flick bluntly stated. This was a clear warning that Lewandowski was no longer the team's number one star and that he needed to change his playing style to adapt to the team's approach.

But what happened after these warnings? Lewandowski reacted strongly. He not only continued to score goals, but also made a huge contribution to Barcelona's overall play. Meanwhile, Gundogan left Barcelona.

The situation has reversed for Lewandowski.

With 40 goals this season, Lewandowski has returned stronger than ever, not only proving his mettle but also dispelling doubts about his ability to lead the team. In fact, Lewandowski has become one of the most important players in Flick's tactics, proving that he can adapt and thrive, despite the initial underestimation from the outside.

Lewandowski plays a crucial role in Barcelona's attack.

One of the key factors in Lewandowski's rise to prominence was the change in Barcelona's playing style under Flick. While maintaining a possession-based approach, the German strategist helped Lewandowski maximize his potential as a primary striker, requiring him to participate in both attack and defense. Lewandowski was not just a striker, but an indispensable part of the team's pressing system.

It's clear that challenges and pressure have helped Lewandowski prove himself and remain a key player for Barcelona. He not only scores goals but also becomes a role model of a player who is always ready to adapt and learn to fit the team's tactics.

With an impressive 40 goals, Lewandowski completely refuted Xavi's theory that it's impossible to build a great team around an aging striker. And for those who once doubted his abilities, this season has been the clearest answer.

In the early hours of April 10th, Barcelona thrashed Borussia Dortmund 4-0 in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. That night in Catalonia, Lewandowski scored a brace. Witnessing the Polish striker's performance, Barcelona fans are likely grateful to Flick for not listening to Xavi – and not pushing Lewandowski out of the club. Because if that had happened, the situation for the Spanish giant would have been different.

Source: https://znews.vn/lewandowski-cho-xavi-sang-mat-post1544758.html