FC Barcelona have had an excellent start to life under Hansi Flick. The German coach has revitalized the team and made them play a brand of football that is exciting. After a couple of seasons of pragmatism under Xavi, this feels like a breath of fresh air.
Flick has managed to recapture the best of Robert Lewandowski, the 36-year-old Polish striker. He now has 12 goals from 11 games across all competitions, which puts him ahead of Manchester City star Erling Haaland on the European level.
Lewandowski has been ably assisted by Raphinha and Lamine Yamal on either wing who have chipped in with assists and goals of their own in the initial games of the campaign. Even in the weekend against Alaves, the Brazilian winger provided two assists for the Polish striker’s hattrick.
Lamine Yamal has now spoken highly of his senior teammate, backing him to win the ‘Pichichi’ race. Here is what he had to say, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo: “Everything you give him, he scores. We’re very happy for him. Hopefully, he’ll win the Pichichi.”
This version of Lewandowski that is playing for Barcelona at the moment is as close as it can come to his 2020 Bayern version when the €15m-rated Pole was arguably the best player in the world. The last couple of seasons have been a pale shadow of his former imperious self.
Hansi Flick’s tactics have managed to get Lewandowski to do what he does best – chip in with goals for the team. If he were to win the Pichichi this season, there is no doubt that Lamine Yamal and Raphinha will have to keep supplying him with more assists as the season goes on.
Lamine currently has five goals and five assists in 11 games across all competitions this season. After being substituted against Alaves, he wore a disappointed expression, which he later clarified was a reflection of his own performance.
Lewandowski and Lamine are on international duty currently and will be waiting to come back and play for Barcelona again. With big games against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid on the horizon, the duo will be key to Hansi Flick, and let’s see how they perform.
