FC Barcelona set off the next fireworks against Pilsen, not least thanks to Robert Lewandowski. But something is still missing for the “new” Barça to prove its strength
Robert Lewandowski has already collected enough records, and in the 5:1 win against Pilsen he added another one. The Pole is the only player to have scored trebles for three different clubs in the Champions League. He had previously achieved this with Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern.
Lewandowski goals are also becoming a habit in Barcelona. He has already scored eight goals in five competitive games, with the 34-year-old only going empty-handed on the first day of league play in a draw against Rayo Vallecano. “It is very important to adapt quickly,” Lewandowski told UEFA.com after his gala. The team helped him a lot, also off the pitch. Incidentally, he dedicated the three goals to his wife, who celebrated her birthday on Wednesday. “She was also in the stadium today, that means a lot to me. “
But it wasn’t just Lewandowski who stood out, Ousmane Dembelé was also in fine form, as he has been for weeks. Before the 3:1, the Frenchman had already lost the ball, but recovered it with a straddle and then crossed precisely to Lewandowski, who only had to nod in. The crowd at the Camp Nou was not excited by the cross, but by the save. A kind of ambition that Dembelé has too often lacked in his five years at Barcelona.
Xavi compares Dembelé to Neymar
Dembelé then showed his usual fine feet with his lobbed pass to make it 4-1, this time Ferran Torres benefiting from his stroke of genius. “He makes the difference, he helps, he scores goals, he’s a force and he’s in a good phase,” coach Xavi said. “I don’t want to be a fan, but his skills in one-on-one situations are comparable to those of the best Neymar. He needs to have more confidence to shoot on goal and score. “
Xavi couldn’t fault Lewandowski for that. “Robert is like that. He is insatiable, how he trains, improves the team, helps. His humility, how he commands, works, pressures. I’m running out of praise because it’s not just the hat-trick. “
But is this really the new Barcelona yet? Even one of the quality of the Messi era? The mourning for the departure of the “Messiah” will “never end”, said Xavi, “because everything he gave Barcelona was extraordinary. But unfortunately it’s over and now there are other players and other staff. We have created a buzz that is very good. “
Gradometer FC Bayern
But for all the euphoria, Barcelona should not forget that the fixture list and fate have been kind to the Catalans. Barça have not yet had to compete with the really big opponents, ambitious teams such as Real Sociedad or Sevilla are currently in a state of upheaval, in the case of Sevilla even in a tangible crisis. The fact that the Catalans can knock out easy or battered opponents is certain – but nothing more (yet). Next up is Cadiz, who are bottom of the table and without a point or a goal.
But on Tuesday it’s here, the first real yardstick. The away game at FC Bayern will be the test for this new Barça. Perhaps Xavi was also thinking of this game when he said: “I join this euphoria – but with caution, composure and all the humility in the world”.