The Catalan Express Rolls On: Lewandowski’s Heroics Secure a 2-1 Victory Over Athletic Bilbao
Image credit: beIN SPORTS
The Barcelona gaffer, Hansi Flick, could not hide his joy after a fierce 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Barcelona, Spain. The German tactician heaped massive praise on his talismanic striker Robert Lewandowski, who once again proved instrumental with a masterful performance that left both critics and fans awed.
It was an encounter that tested the fortitude of Barcelona. Lewandowski, one of the top attackers in the world, delivered an assured performance, dictating the tone of the match. In the forward line, he provided leadership and set the pace for the rest of Barcelona’s attack throughout the game, leaving no one in doubt as to who the dominant force on the field was. And he scored in that game too. Flick, who has been working to instill a winning mentality in his team, acknowledged that Lewandowski’s leadership by example was crucial. “Today, Robert did an excellent job. His work rate, positioning, and finishing were outstanding,” Flick said during the post-match press conference. “He’s the type of player who, when he needs to give the final push, will do it; and today, he did it in the best way.”
Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal did not surprise many by opening the scoring for Barcelona, striking from the edge of the box after a deflection off Yeray Alvarez. Robert Lewandowski hit the crossbar moments later. Athletic cried out for a penalty two minutes before the break after Pau Cubarsi seemed to pull Alejandro Berenguer down. Barcelona quickly countered and made a claim for a spot-kick of their own, but VAR intervened to grant the visitors the first call, which Oihan Sancet subsequently converted from 12 yards.
The second half saw Lewandowski’s renewed assurance drive Barcelona’s aggressive play on the pitch. This galvanized Barcelona, and Lewandowski broke the deadlock in the 75th minute, taking control of a loose ball within the box. It was a goal that epitomized the instinct of a poacher, showcasing his poise under pressure. Flick remarked during the match that the most important thing now is to keep the run going and build on this performance.
“This win is major for us. Robert contributed a great deal, and we showed character and fighting spirit,” Flick said. “But there is still a lot of work ahead. This is just the beginning. With Lewandowski performing at 100%, Barcelona is ready to respond, with Flick’s tactical sense guiding the team.”
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- Namrata Boruah, currently based in New Delhi, is an aspiring journalist with a keen interest in uncovering inside news and presenting the facts to the public. She is determined to build a career in journalism, driven by a passion for truth and transparency.
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