Barcelona enters the international break in a state of focus and anticipation, with Hansi Flick quietly shaping adjustments that could restore the attacking balance the team has lacked since the start of the 2025/26 La Liga season.
While youngsters Lamine Yamal and Raphinha have started brightly, one major figure has been missing from the picture — raising questions about the true strength of Barça’s frontline without him.
That figure is Robert Lewandowski. The Polish striker has sat out the first two league fixtures with a minor muscle issue, yet remains central to every tactical plan Flick has been preparing. Inside the squad, there is growing belief that his return could be decisive, just as it was last year when his presence helped power Barcelona to a domestic treble.
Lewandowski’s influence is not measured by goals alone. His role as a tactical reference point gave structure to the attack, freeing Yamal and Raphinha to express themselves on the wings. In his absence, Ferran Torres has stepped in as a false nine, but the experiment has lacked the same authority in the box and hasn’t created the kind of space the wingers enjoyed last season.
Both Lamine and Raphinha are said to be eager to reunite with their striker partner, convinced that the “golden trio” they formed late last year remains Barcelona’s most dangerous weapon. Sources close to the squad stress that Lewandowski’s positioning and link-up play open channels that simply don’t exist without him.
Flick, for his part, is prioritizing patience. The coach has made it clear in internal discussions that Lewandowski will not be rushed back; ensuring full fitness takes precedence, especially with the Champions League group stage beginning soon and a crowded September fixture list ahead.
The plan is to reintegrate Lewandowski straight into the starting XI after the break, a move intended to restore both tactical balance and mental stability. Although he is currently training apart, those close to him insist the countdown to his return is well underway.
The question now is whether Lewandowski’s comeback can spark a turning point in Barcelona’s season. The answer is not far off.
