Who will replace Lewandowski? “It’s the most logical option”

First a word of introduction. In the November match of the 14th round of the Spanish league, Barcelona beat Osasuna 2: 1, although they played with ten men after Robert Lewandowski saw the red card. – I don’t want to elaborate on that. I do not want to believe that the commission that is in Madrid deliberately gave me such a suspension so that I would not play in important La Liga matches. My suspension is way too big. The gesture was not in the direction of the referee, but the coach, the bench. It was perfectly visible on the field. I hope the appeal of Barcelona will change the decision – . The League Committee, however, upheld the decision to suspend the Pole for three matches.

That means Xavi now has to think about how to replace the striker who scored 18 goals in 19 games for Barcelona (in all competitions). The Catalan “Sport” analyzed Barca’s situation. Xavi’s players will face Espanyol on December 31, and Atletico Madrid on January 8. Four days later, Barca will play Real Betis in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup.

“Everything indicates that Xavi will be able to count on the full squad on December 26 at the earliest, because then Kounde and Dembele, who are still fighting for gold in Qatar, are to return. It is doubtful that Ousmane will be fully ready for the derby. In the meantime, let’s analyze the variants that the coach can find.

Xavi variants for matches without Lewandowski. What could Barca’s attack look like?

I variant: Raphinha – Ferran Torres – Ansu Fati

“It would be the most logical option. The Brazilian played in the first team and the other two appeared on the pitch regularly. They were not brilliant, but they played at an acceptable level. Ansu is still recovering from surgery and looking for his best. Ansu Fati could play in in the middle, Ferran on the left and Raphinha on the right.

Option II: Raphinha – Ferran Torres – Memphis Depay

“We’ve rarely seen Memphis in a Barca shirt this season, but in Holland he played at the World Cup. Depay stayed at the club despite Xavi warning him not to bet on him. Perhaps it’s time for him to get a chance. for the Dutchman to play the role of a central striker.

“Sport” points out that both presented variants will work if Xavi does not change the setting. And Spanish journalists add that a temporary change of the system to 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 cannot be ruled out.