The match against Atletico Madrid this Sunday is a very important one for FC Barcelona. The Catalans are already trailing the league leaders, Real Madrid and Girona, by four points and cannot afford to lose any more points at this point of their league campaign.
The match this weekend will be especially difficult as it is against a team that is flying high in the league, and has the same number of points as Barcelona, 31, but has one more game in hand. Thus, Xavi will need all of his players to perform at a high level, especially in the match against Atletico Madrid.
However, the one person whom Xavi will need in top form more than anyone else is the Polish striker, Robert Lewandowski. The Blaugranes have not enjoyed as many goals from the big Pole as they did last season, and need him to get back to his best form to successfully defend their league title.
As SPORT has reported, Lewandowski himself also recognizes what needs to be done, as he spoke to the club media ahead of this match. The Pole was clear that the team “must take a step forward”, and “it is essential to win, especially mentally“.
Barcelona have lost precious points because of the games they drew against manageable opposition of Getafe, Mallorca, Granada, and Rayo Vallecano. But Lewandowski remarked that his team has two important games coming ahead against Atletico Madrid and Girona, which can shake up the league standings:
“Now two very important games are coming and we have to be able to win the six points.”
While there is no doubt that these matches will be very difficult, Lewandowski had full confidence that his team can do the job:
“We are Barça, playing at home. We can win, and we have to go for it from the first minute. The fans can help us to be fired up; they are very important to us.”
Fans will definitely have a part to play in the fixture against Atletico Madrid, but the players themselves will have to take the initiative on the pitch. More responsibility lies with senior players like Lewandowski, and hopefully, he will be able to reverse his poor form in this match to get Barcelona the full points.