As the 2024/25 season moves forward, Barcelona move on to a deciding phase of the season. Flick’s team revolves around aggressive play and goal-scoring, and Lewandowski and Raphinha have been Barca’s key goal-scorers. Robert Lewandowski has remained a reliable source of goals but has faced criticism. Raphinha, on the other hand, has been another key player but has recently received fire due to missed opportunities.
Amid all these opinions, it’s essential to look beyond these stats and assess the bigger picture. Let’s discuss some key perspectives on this debate.
Robert Lewandowski’s Value to the Barcelona Team
Robert Lewandowski has missed a fair share of chances this season. The big Pole has missed 17 big chances in La Liga and three in the UCL. However, these numbers do not reduce his impact in Flick’s side. The striker has proven to be a quality finisher this season and hit double digits well before the season’s halfway mark.
Apart from scoring, Lewandowski has consistently positioned himself in opponent-dangerous areas. He is an excellent pivot in receiving passes from Cubarsi and Inigo and has also shown a great work rate. He is also a key aerial threat for Barca during set pieces and clears many dangerous crosses while defending corners. Despite his age, Lewandowski has proven to be a significant asset for Flick’s Barca.
Raphinha vs. Lewandowski: A Tale of Different Expectations
Lewandowski and Raphinha have scored a significant chunk of goals for the Blaugrana this season. And both players have faced criticism for missed chances, too. But the scrutiny they face is worlds apart. Lewandowski is a pure striker and is expected to convert chances. When he misses, it’s seen as a colossal failure. Raphinha, on the contrary, is a winger and has a versatile role. He creates, presses high, and links up play. The Brazilian has missed 22 big chances this season (more than Lewandowski) but still gets a pass because of his diverse contribution.
It may be considered a double standard, but it is important to recognize that each player’s expectations are different. Lewandowski’s job is to finish, and when he does not, the pressure is on him. Raphinha can make up for his finishing errors by creating goals and assisting.
This is why Lewandowski Deserves More Respect
Lewandowski, at 36, has continued to defy expectations and has proven he’s on par with all of the world’s elite strikers, if not better. His goal-scoring speaks volumes about his performances, and he remains an integral figure in this current Barca team.
He is on track to score 40+ goals this season. It’s a remarkable feat to do at the twilight of your career, that too in the European top flight. It’s easy to focus on just the negatives, but the reality is that he still provides more than enough to justify his spot in the starting XI. Lewandowski’s successor will join shortly, but until then, the Polish deserves the respect he’s earned over a stellar career.
It’s important to differentiate between criticism and hate. Good criticism is necessary, no doubt, as it helps players grow. But culers need to realize that the kind of hate Lewandowski has received this season is disproportionate to his contribution. The Pole deserves more than just the blame for his misses; he deserves recognition, love, and respect for what he brings to the team.