The absence of Lewandowski, a clear limitation for Barça in the air game

Published:28/02/2023 - 21:33h

Updated:28/02/2023 - 22:17h

Having a '9' like Robert Lewandowski allows you to find the goal in many ways and one of them is shooting good centers towards the Polish, but without another centre-forward of his characteristics Barça must almost completely forget this plan

The problems that will have the FC Barcelona without Robert Lewandowski next Thursday could become infinite. Although it is the first course of the forward in the Camp Nou, his voice has done feel in the changing room and is one of the referents inside a team that is full of young footballers and of another so much in a process of adaptation to a new club, or to a new sportive project.

The ones of Xavi will begin his eliminatory of semifinals in front of the Real Madrid without his goleador, but also without one of his few -but the only- references in the aerial game, especially in attack. Although the technician egarense is not precisely somebody that pregone the throw centres or long passes, the reality is that it is a very valid argument to the hour of destrabar a party in front of a rival that was very retarded, or to the hour to trace back or empatar a result in the last minutes.

Already in front of the Manchester United in Old Trafford, the Barcelona team tried to replace to the goal of Antony to the 75' hanging balloons in several occasions to a Lewandowski that was neutralised by Varane, Lisandro Martínez and Casemiro. Besides, Ansu Fati him 'removed' a clear head butt to the '9' in front of which went the best centre that threw the Barça in this stretch of the party.

A lot it touch of balloon and movements to the space

Now, with the Pole of drop to bump in front of the ones of Ancelotti, this Plan B or C, will be almost condemned to a shot of corner or free shot, or to some very precise habilitation of part of players like Balde, Of Jong or Raphinha. With Ansu Fati still being doubt, the centre of the attack of Xavi seems reserved for Ferran Torres that it is not a goleador, and much less a big cabeceador.

The Valencian would be the attendant to finalise the attacks culés, and will have to do it almost of exclusive way with the balloon by the lawn, and to the space. Of this way, and not being something negative, the Barça will have to appeal to his best game of possession, position and association to confront to his rival maximum, as well as the next crashes in League in front of Valencia (local) and Athletic Club (visitor).