Barcelona is growing concerned about Robert Lewandowski’s injury ahead of crucial upcoming matches, while Harry Kane has already surpassed Lewandowski’s longest goal drought at Bayern Munich. Kane’s current run without scoring has raised some eyebrows, but his statistics still compare favorably to Bayern’s past legends. With pressure mounting on both players to perform, Lewandowski’s fitness issues and Kane’s goal-scoring struggles will be pivotal as both teams face challenging fixtures ahead.
Barcelona Worried About Lewandowski’s Injury Ahead of Big Games
Lewandowski started Poland’s UEFA Nations League match against Croatia on Tuesday as a substitute, joining the game in the 60th minute to aid his team’s comeback. After being down 3-1 at halftime, the experienced striker played a key role, assisting Sebastian Szymański’s goal to level the score.
National team coach Michal Probierz explained on Polish television before the match that Lewandowski’s reduced role was due to a “slight injury.”
The Polish captain’s appearance on the field may have come with a price, as he was seen limping while quickly passing reporters in the mixed zone after the game. However, the Barcelona forward also suggested that his leg was generally fine.
Despite turning 36 this summer, Lewandowski has returned to his best form this season. The ex-Bayern Munich star has netted 12 goals in 11 matches for Barcelona in La Liga and the Champions League, including a hat-trick in his latest game against Alaves.
Lewandowski scored 26 goals in all competitions last season. While still a strong total by most measures, it marked the first time since the 2014/15 season that he didn’t reach 30 goals.
Barcelona has limited options upfront beyond Lewandowski. Ferran Torres can play centrally but suffered a hamstring injury during the win over Alaves. Pau Victor is now the only real backup ‘number nine.’ The 22-year-old, who joined from Girona in the summer after a loan spell with Barca B, scored on his full debut last month in the loss to Osasuna despite starting as a left winger.
Hansi Flick’s team returns to action on Sunday with a home match against Sevilla. Three days later, they face Bayern Munich at home in the Champions League, followed by a clash with Real Madrid on October 26.
Kane Surpasses Lewandowski’s Longest Goal Drought at Bayern
Here’s something to consider: Harry Kane has gone 350 minutes without scoring for both club and country, marking his longest goal drought since joining Bayern Munich last summer. According to a stat from Bild (shared by @iMiaSanMia), the English striker has already surpassed Robert Lewandowski’s longest-ever goal drought at the club.
Honestly, this reflects more on Lewandowski than anything else. Kane’s stats still stand strong when compared to players like Claudio Pizarro, Giovane Élber, and even Gerd Müller, all of whom experienced long goal droughts during their Bayern Munich careers.
Of course, football has changed, and the pressure on Kane is enormous. Given his age, the transfer fee Bayern Munich paid to sign him from Spurs, and the fact that the club lacks another proven striker, Kane is expected to score as frequently as possible. It’s no surprise that his current goal “drought” aligns with Bayern’s three-game winless streak — Vincent Kompany needs his striker to find the net again.
Of course, his fitness is another factor. Kane missed the match between the Three Lions and Greece to be ready for the game against Finland. He’s been managing a knock since the Leverkusen match, which could impact his performance against Stuttgart this weekend. After that, he’ll travel to Spain to face FC Barcelona and Robert Lewandowski — a true striker vs. striker battle. Ironically, Lewandowski might also be dealing with his own fitness concerns.
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