Prime Division
Two goals for dad on the 34th: Barcelona celebrates Lewandowski
Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski (l) scored against Real Sociedad San Sebastian after 44 seconds. photo
© Alvaro Barrientos/AP/dpa
Robert Lewandowski has finally “arrived” in Barcelona. With two goals on his 34th birthday, he convinced even the last doubters. Meanwhile, the striker is thinking about his late father.
With his first two competitive goals for FC Barcelona on his 34th birthday, Robert Lewandowski convinced even the last doubters that he did not take a well-paid early retirement in Catalonia.
“He’s 34, but it seems like he’s 20. His goals are amazing,” said team-mate Pedri – who at 19 could almost be a son of the world footballer – after the 4-1 win at Real Sociedad San Sebastián on Sunday evening visibly amazed. On the front page of the specialist newspaper “Sport” on Monday, the word “Festival” could be read in large letters above a picture of the jubilant ex-Bayern professional.
Lewandowski: “What a night!”
Thanks to Lewandowski, the club, which owes 1.35 billion euros, sees the light at the end of the tunnel after a long sporting descent. Meanwhile, the much-praised man dedicated the important goals to a special addressee: “They are for my father, who is watching me from above,” he said. Papa Krzysztof died of cancer when Lewandowski was 16 years old. On Instagram, the Pole wrote early Monday morning about his successful performance in the Basque Country: “What a night!”
The top scorer switched from FC Bayern Munich to Barcelona after a long transfer theater before the start of the season. After just one goal in four friendlies and the Catalans’ disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Rayo Vallecano in the league opener, the striker has now made his debut as a top scorer in the Spanish Primera División. After just 44 seconds he scored with his left foot, and in the 68th minute he made it 3-1 with his right.
After the triumph of the team with national goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, Lewandowski praised “the hard work of the whole team and the will to win that we had after drawing in the first game of the season”. It is only a matter of time before the team develops a better understanding of each other. “It’s a great team with young players and others who have more experience and try to give advice,” said the former Munich resident.
The newcomer is also a “role model”
The Spanish media emphasized that Barça’s king’s transfer hit it off particularly well with young star Ansu Fati (19). The media described the striker, among other things, as a “destroyer”, as a “magician”, as a “killer” who “hardly needs a chance to hit the mark” (“Sport”). Coach Xavi, meanwhile, sees the value of Lewandowski not only on the pitch but also behind the scenes. “He’s doing what everyone can see. But beyond that he contributes a lot of other things. He’s a natural leader, a role model.” Lewandowski is “present and future”.
The other Barcelona goals in San Sebastián were provided by Ousmane Dembélé (66th) and Fati (79th), who was once employed by Borussia Dortmund. In the table, Barcelona have jumped to fifth on four points behind a leading quartet of Villarreal FC, holders Real Madrid, Betis Sevilla and CD Osasuna, who have all won both games and have six points each.