Things got very heated between Robert Lewandowski and his coach Xavi during the final match of the year against Almeria.
On Wednesday evening, the Catalans hosted Almeria, the league’s bottom side, with the firm intention of winning to revive their title hopes. And while Jules Koundé’s team-mates did end up winning 3-2, it was a hard-fought victory. After twice taking the lead, they had to work hard to finally see off the league’s bottom side late on thanks to a brace from Sergi Roberto.
The score was 1-1 at half-time, and Xavi Hernandez was clearly not happy with his team’s behaviour on the pitch. And he didn’t hesitate to point the finger directly at one player: Robert Lewandowski. In the dressing room, the Catalan coach reportedly sternly told him in front of the entire squad: “Robert, start running, for God’s sake”, as revealed by daily AS. It was a bitter blow from the coach to his striker, who has been struggling in recent weeks. Barcelona are currently in the United States for a final friendly match. An opportunity for the two men to explain themselves away from the Spanish cameras?
Lewandowksi’s future feared at Barça
Rumours have linked the Polish player with a potential January move to the Saudi Pro League, and those rumours intensified after Pini Zahavi was spotted dining with Barcelona president Joan Laporta in Catalonia. Zahavi was instrumental in bringing Lewandowski to the Camp Nou and was asked as he left the restaurant if the former Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund star would stay with the Balugrana until the end of the season.
He gave a simple two-word answer that he hopes will put an end to the matter: “Of course”.
Lewandowski’s best hope of dispelling the speculation surrounding his future is to rediscover the prolific goalscoring form that has been the hallmark of his career.
He has scored just three goals in his last 13 games for Barcelona as Xavi’s side sink in the La Liga standings ahead of the winter break.
Zahavi is understood to have met Laporta to discuss the future of Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich, who has been strongly linked with a move to Barcelona next summer.
Kimmich is at the end of his contract with the Bundesliga club in June 2025, making him likely to leave at the end of the season.
Sport report that the deal is expected to be “very complicated”, but it is one that Kimmich is keen to complete after nine successful years with Bayern.
Barcelona win €5 million
Barcelona recently lashed out at Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente for blaming him for Gavi’s serious knee injury. Clearly, the Blaugrana had criticised the La Roja boss for playing the young midfielder too much in a Euro 2024 qualifier that was of no interest (Spain had already qualified), at a time when the calendar was already very overloaded.
So it was to recharge the batteries of its players and preserve them that the Catalan club flew to Dallas just after its victory over Almeria (3-2). A ten-hour flight and a friendly match against Mexican side America were on the agenda. The result: Barça lost 3-2, with Jamal and Guiu scoring the goals. A quick trip to the other side of the world and back, which nonetheless enabled Barça to collect €5m. This time, scheduling was not a problem…
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