A strong display over Alaves allows FC Barcelona to grab hold of three very important points for them. For La Blaugrana, a victory here was crucial to ensure that they regained their lead at the top of the La Liga table. Fortunately for Barcelona, their players seemed to have been more than ready to make that happen.
However, perhaps there was one player who was just a step above everyone else in this recent 3-0 victory. That one man, without a doubt, would be Polish ace Robert Lewandowski, who left this match with a hatttick to his name and he continues his journey towards the Pichichi award.
After the game, Lewandowski was asked to comment on the proceedings of the match and even regarding what to expect from the team after the international break, as highlighted by Mundo Deportivo. In regards to the game itself, the Barcelona ace seemed more than happy to admit that everything went according to their original plan:
“We executed everything we had planned at the start of the match… If you score three goals in the first half, you can control the second half.”
He also briefly stated that he believes that this currently in-form and free-scoring Barcelona team will be even stronger after the international break once several injured players begin to return as well: “We’ll come back stronger after the break.”
As for his hattrick, the Barcelona ace commented that the early goals definitely allowed the team to settle in the game and that their preparation throughout the preseason was also key in helping the team overall:
“If you score three goals in the first half, you can control the second half… There are many little things that make a difference. In general, we worked very well during preseason, and we have a very good group. With these players, we can play better, and overall, we’ve improved in many areas where we were lacking.”
Lastly, he touched upon the subject of the grueling and demanding football calendar right now, but figures that the international break should give some players some much-needed rest and others enough time to make their much-anticipated return:
“I’ve never played so many matches in a row with only two days of rest between games. These rest days will benefit the team—not for those of us going to the national teams, but for the team. It will be good, and several injured players will return.”
With his hattrick in this game, Lewandowski now makes it 10 goals in 9 La Liga outings. Leading the Pichichi race for now by a significant distance, the Polish ace will want to continue this form that he has managed to rekindle under the leadership of his former Bayern Munich coach, Hansi Flick.