Lewandowski embraces super-sub role to keep Barcelona fresh
Robert Lewandowski is embracing a strategic role as an impact substitute this LaLiga season after sparking Barcelona’s 3-1 comeback victory against Real Oviedo on Thursday, a performance that underlines his importance in maintaining the squad’s long-term fitness and competitive edge.
Lewandowski, 37, came off the bench at halftime when Barcelona trailed 1-0, scoring the second goal to help the team overturn the deficit. This marked his third goal as a substitute this season, keeping him atop the league’s scoring charts for players coming off the bench. With Barcelona now just two points behind leaders Real Madrid, Lewandowski stressed the necessity of managing his playing time to sustain peak physical condition throughout the demanding campaign.
“We have so many games and the season is very long,” Lewandowski said. “At the end of preseason I got injured and was out for three weeks, and later I still felt I couldn’t give 100%. Now I feel good physically. You have to be patient sometimes. For strikers, it’s always better to play, but we have to think about the many important games coming.”
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has opted to utilize the experienced Poland striker deliberately, rotating him alongside other key players like Frenkie de Jong to maintain squad freshness. This tactical approach responds to last season’s challenges, when periods of fatigue affected the team’s performance. Lewandowski acknowledged that maintaining freshness is crucial to sustained success.
“Last season, there were parts where we didn’t play well. I don’t want to say we were tired, but not so fresh. So we have to think about being fresher for the future to be a better team,” he explained.
Lewandowski’s versatility and clinical finishing make him an ideal super-sub who can influence matches decisively while allowing Barcelona to manage his workload effectively. This measured approach aligns with the club’s broader strategy to compete on multiple fronts by leveraging squad depth and preserving the fitness of key players.
As Barcelona pursue both domestic and European ambitions, Lewandowski’s role as a potent substitute could prove pivotal, providing goal-scoring threat without risking burnout early in the season or key fixtures later on. This pragmatic deployment reflects a nuanced understanding of player management amid a dense fixture schedule.