Robert Lewandowski is already starting to demonstrate his skills at the Barsa. Photo: AP Photo / Joan Monfort)
It is true that it was a friendly and, perhaps, he did not feel requested, but what Barcelona offered to his team in the Joan Gamper Cup against UNAM Pumas was a colorful exercise, in which he seemed to recover the memory of that football that not long ago dazzled. With Lewandoski as protagonist and Dani Alves and Eduardo Salvio becoming trends on the networks, Barsa beats the Mexicans 6-0 and is excited
He served the classic cup to introduce Robert Lewandowski, who was one of the greatest, with one goal, two assists and one of these in heel for Pedri which left the feeling of being on another level; There were also the rest of the signings (Raphinha, Kounde, Kessie), with the exception of Christensen, with a slight injury.
Open End, a luxury striker. I play one touch, two at the most. Internal second line inputs. Pressure, quality and goal. The vertigo had returned. All this is what Barcelona offered from the first minute, a team that has recovered its historical memory, which raises its hand again, warning the world of football that it wants to return.
Xavi Hernández made two of the five early signings, Lewandowski and Raphinha. Dembélé, the French rebel was the third striker. An electric game of both extremes and Lewandowski’s tip-football.
The Pole understands football at the first touch, knows how to play with his back to goal, has a sixth sense for passing and a killer instinct in the area. 33 years? Nobody would say that.
It took Lewandowski two minutes and 36 seconds to score his first goal as a Barça player at the Spotify Camp Nou. He took advantage of a deep pass from Pedri, controlled with the left, and finished with the right half a meter from the baseline. The ball has drawn an impossible trajectory. Barça’s nine goes to the corner and the audience goes crazy.
This was his presentation as a scorer. As an assistant he showed up in the 2-0, in combination with Pedri. The canary cuts Julio González (min. 5). In 300 seconds in Barça high school, more football had been seen than in most games last season.
Barça worked like a roller, now with Busquets as a compass, with Gavi under pressure, with the subtlety of Pedri or the power of defense. Even Ter Stegen, who only demanded it in a couple of actions in the first part, seemed to be the one of those times.
With Raphina and Dembélé changing positions; the Brazilian assisted the French 3-0 to 19. Ousmane also changed.
And as if it were a Barça match under Guardiola, even if the comparison is impossible and even less so at this stage of the season, at 19 ‘, the azulgrana were already winning 4-0. In that action we see once again the link between two geniuses: Lewandowski and Pedri.
The nine created a space and witnessed the canary’s heel, in another luxurious move. Before the break Rafhinha and Lewandowski finish on the post and Gustavo Prete, on 31 ‘, is the only one to disturb the local goal.
Xavi made seven changes in the interval, and two of those who joined: Kessie and Aubameyang, scored 5-0, in a great assist from the former Milan to the nine former Arsenal. The game was started by Lewandowski, with a great pass in depth.
The Pumas raised the white flag and their coach, Andrés Lillini, made three changes to seek physical freshness. One of those who came out was Alves, who was one of the best of his team in the hour he was on the pitch.
Barça have been able to increase their account on several occasions, but only Frenkie de Jong was right in the 84th minute (6-0). Pumas, who hadn’t appeared for long, had a big break thanks to Jero Rodríguez, but Iñaki Peña was splendid.
Barça spectators left the stadium with a bad taste in their mouths. “Ask for some, yes?” they wondered. Translation: “This year, yes?”.
Too early to tell, but the sensations are unbeatable.
With information from EFE
Source: Clarin
