Barcelona secured an impressive 7-1 victory over Valencia on Sunday evening in the 21st round of the Spanish League. This win keeps Barcelona’s hopes alive in the La Liga title race, as they remain 7 points behind leaders Real Madrid.
According to Spanish newspaper El Nacional, there has been growing discussion in both the locker room and among fans regarding Barcelona’s recent performances. Many believe the team plays better without Robert Lewandowski on the field. Despite Lewandowski’s strong individual stats, the team appears to be more fluid and dynamic when utilizing a more mobile attacking style.
Recent victories, particularly against Real Betis in the Copa del Rey and Valencia in La Liga, have highlighted this shift. In these matches, Barcelona showcased its best attacking play without its star striker. Coach Hansi Flick made the bold decision to bench Lewandowski, which turned out to be a successful gamble. With players like Ferran Torres moving freely, and Lamine Yamal and Raphinha excelling on the wings, the attack flowed more smoothly, combining quickly and pressuring opponents. This style was especially evident in the Betis game, where Dani Olmo played as a false nine.
Yamal and Raphinha, benefiting from this more flexible tactical setup, have expressed their preference for playing with a more mobile forward and have encouraged Flick to continue leaving Lewandowski out of the starting lineup. Ferran Torres’ ability to spread wide, link play, and press high creates more space for the wingers to thrive. In contrast, with Lewandowski, the team’s play becomes more predictable, focusing mainly on crossing the ball for the striker to finish.
As the season progresses, it will be important to see whether Lewandowski remains a key figure in the starting lineup or if Flick continues to favor a more dynamic, versatile attack without him. For now, it seems Barcelona’s attack is more fluid and effective without the Polish striker.
