Striker has had a reduced role this season but Hansi Flick would still want his experience in the most important games
Barcelona will be without Robert Lewandowski for Tuesday’s Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid after the striker suffered a fractured eye socket during the weekend victory over Villarreal.
The club confirmed on Sunday that medical examinations revealed a fracture to Lewandowski’s left eye socket following a collision sustained late in Saturday’s 4-1 win at Camp Nou. The Poland international only entered the match in the second half, replacing Ferran Torres in the 67th minute before scoring his side’s fourth goal deep into stoppage time.
The Catalans led with teenage forward Lamine Yamal stealing headlines after registering the first hat-trick of his senior career. Villareal scored one in the second half when Barcelona were still 2-1 up.
Lewandowski has been used largely from the bench this season, starting just 10 of Barcelona’s 26 La Liga matches, although Hansi Flick would still want to be able to call upon the 37-year-old’s experience in the most important games. Across 32 appearances this term, he has produced 14 goals and three assists.
The Poland international’s future is still unresolved. Lewandowski’s contract expires in June, and as it stands there is an understanding that he will leave on a free transfer, potentially bringing an end to a four-year spell in Catalonia.
