Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernández has provided an insight into the reasoning behind his decision to haul off Robert Lewandowski during the club’s meeting with Real Betis.
Barca, of course, were back in action late last night.
Fresh off a return to winning ways in the Copa del Rey in midweek, the Blaugrana made the trip to the Estadio Benito Villamarín, for a La Liga meeting with the aforementioned Betis.
And, when all was said and done, Xavi and co. made it back-to-back wins across all competitions, courtesy of an impressive 4-2 triumph.
Ferran Torres proved himself the star of the show, bagging a hat-trick, with João Félix having also emerged from the bench to add a fine finish of his own.
Whilst a number of Barcelona’s attacking stars shone bright on Sunday, however, one who struggled came in the form of the aforementioned Robert Lewandowski.
Polish veteran Lewandowski failed to register a single shot on target against Betis, with his link-up play having also left a lot to be desired.
The former Bayern Munich standout was consequently hooked from proceedings on the hour mark, sparking widespread chatter across the Blaugrana fanbase.
Across his stint in the dugout in Catalunya, Xavi has rarely opted to haul off ‘Lewa’ early, even when the 35-year-old is failing to deliver the goods.
His decision to follow through on as much yesterday evening was in turn highlighted as a potential turning point by a Barcelona fanbase quickly losing patience with their first-choice centre-forward.
Speaking to the media post-match, it therefore came as little surprise when the subject of Lewandowski’s substitution was put to his manager.
Xavi, however, was quick to play down the significance of the call, instead assuring that it was a purely tactical one, with youngster Vitor Roque better able to make use of the spaces in behind:
“The change of Lewandowski? We needed the 9 to attack the space behind and, if Vitor Roque has any important quality, it is this.”
Xavi continued, as cited by RAC1:
“The change was not to single out anyone. Lewandowski will continue to be important for us.”
Conor Laird | GSFN
