Hans-Dieter Flick’s decision to bench Robert Lewandowski in favor of Ferran Torres in Barcelona’s last match raised eyebrows. While Lewandowski was given his usual rest in the Copa del Rey, many expected him to start in such a crucial game, especially after his underwhelming performance against Las Palmas.
Flick, however, opted for Torres, who had impressed in the previous round with a hat-trick against Valencia. Yet, against Atlético Madrid, he struggled to make an impact, missing two clear chances. One came in a one-on-one situation when the score was 0-2, but Juan Musso managed to make the save. Later, he failed to capitalize on an open goal opportunity, with his shot cleared off the line. His struggles led to his substitution in the 68th minute, prompting frustration from the Barcelona fans.
Despite recent improvements in his performances, Torres faced boos from the crowd. Inside the dressing room, some players, including Frenkie de Jong and Raphinha, reportedly questioned Flick’s choice to start him over Lewandowski, who has consistently shown his ability to make a difference in limited playing time.
Many believe that Lewandowski remains the best option as the team’s main striker, particularly in tough matches against strong opponents like Atlético Madrid. Before Flick made his final decision, De Jong and Raphinha had even suggested considering Dani Olmo, who has previously played in that role with success.
