Barcelona have been told to get rid of Hansi Flick due to his methods with Robert Lewandowski. Legendary goalkeeper Jan Tomaszewski did not mince his words, declaring that a squad the veteran striker “should have won everything", including the Champions League, last season as he blamed the German coach for their failure.
Lewandowski saved the day off the bench
Thrown on in the second half of Barcelona's midweek clash against Real Oviedo with the game tied at 1-1, the veteran needed just five minutes to turn the tide. Frenkie de Jong rose to nod down a perfect header, and the Polish hitman met it with a delicate flick that nestled past the keeper to give Barcelona the lead. Barca went on to complete a 3-1 turnaround, but the headlines focused less on the three points and more on the fact that their No.9 is being used as a super-sub rather than the spearhead.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportFrom main man to bench weapon
For a player who built his career as the ultimate talisman, Lewandowski’s new reality under Flick is striking. Instead of leading the line week in, week out, he has been eased back into action after a preseason setback. So far, that has meant brief cameos rather than 90-minute stints, but the 37-year-old has performed well in his new role. He bagged a brace against Valencia earlier in the campaign and has now scored three times off the bench. Few strikers in Europe can boast such efficiency. But to Tomaszewski, treating Lewandowski like a ‘Plan B’ borders on criminal.
Tomaszewski tore into Barca boss
The outspoken Poland legend did not hold back when quizzed on Lewandowski's situation, telling : "Barcelona have a squad for the Club World Cup, which they didn't even participate in in America. They definitely have a squad for the Champions League, the most important trophy. Unfortunately, the coaching staff should stick it out until the end, and I hope their contract isn't extended, because 'Mr. German' isn't performing very well. With such a footballing 'gun' he should have won everything in Europe, and they lost to Inter, a good team, but the subsequent 5-0 final against PSG exposed them."
Lewandowski remains patient
After the Ovideo win, Lewandowski insisted that he is unfazed by the new role and remains "patient" as he awaits further opportunities to prove his worth to Flick this season.
“I’m patient," he claimed. "The most important thing is that if I play, I want to score a goal to help the team. Physically, I feel very good.”
