FC Barcelona took the field without their designated attacker. Robert Lewandowski, the specialist who plays exclusively as a center forward, was left on the bench to rest, a necessity at his age. Instead, the team fielded two false nines, as footballing jargon describes it – players who do not fit the traditional number nine archetype and lack the physicality and experience typically associated with the role. However, they are talented footballers, which proves to be extremely beneficial. That was the fundamental starting point.
With Lewandowski missing, Barca quickly started shooting from the kick-off, desperately trying to mask the absence of their top scorer, who scored 26 goals in 29 matches, making him the team’s top scorer. La Liga, Europe and history. The unusual attacking production was aided by a Betis side unable to figure out how to defend against a non-existent front, allowing the rivals to appear from all angles, including defenders running from their own half to take penalties, like Koundé.
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The lack of finishing in Lewandowski’s absence has quickly become an outdated theory. The first shot went into the back of the net. Concerns about effectiveness arose later, when 100% accuracy disappeared. Without Bartra and Natan having time to communicate and organize, Dani Olmo took on the role of attacker, allowing Gavi to sneak in and confuse them even more. Wasn’t he the right winger?
Nobody cared about Lewandowski’s absence, even though Olmo attempted three shots, none of them hitting the back of the net, the closest being a shot that hit the post. Without the Polish striker, the attacking style has changed. It became more combinatorial and dynamic, since there was no designated target for the balloons to be delivered. The penalty area belonged to no one; it was a common garden. Gerard Martín, the other full-back, tried his luck, perhaps without full conviction.
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-Gavi, ever bold, entered the arena and scored with his left foot, even though it was not his strongest foot. Six of his nine goals for Barça have been scored with his right. Just like the last one, which was three days ago. He found the net against Courtois during the rout in Arabia which, as seen last night, had an unexpected effect on the public. In a less colorful Montjuïc, devoid of bandas and drums, the 46,019 supporters (approximately) began to sing and jump: “Boti, boti, boti, madridista qui no boti.”
Sunday’s effort, rewarded by the trophy displayed by Ronald Araujo at the start, explained why Lewandowski missed out for the second time this season. His absence was barely noticed in the first instance, when the team registered five goals against Mallorca. Last night they managed seven, although two were disallowed by VAR, leaving more questions than answers. The false nine at Son Moix was Ferran, who, of course, scored. Later, Pau Víctor came on, who sealed the result.
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It is ironic that Olmo, designated to play as number nine, did not score in the manner expected. Instead, without obsessing over the goal, he prepared one for Ferran, who needed it more. Flick kept him on the pitch from start to finish while rotating players through substitutions (Casadó, Balde) and resting (Raphinha, Pedri, Gavi…), recruiting fans for a transformed Barça ever since. that he left Montjuïc at the end of the year with three home defeats behind them.
Then even Vitor Roque scored in Montjuïc, who spent minutes looking enviously at his former teammates, barely receiving a good ball until the penalty arrived. He could leave with his head held high.
While Lewandowski was rested, Lamine Yamal certainly didn’t need that. Neither in relation to his age (half as many years as Robert, 17 against 36) nor by the entertainment he brings to the team. He both scored and assisted, while displaying skills that energized a Barca soaring to new heights.
