Robert Lewandowski once again faced Bayern Munich as a Barcelona player, but this time around, the emotions tied to his former club were far less significant than during the 2022-23 season.
It was clear that the match meant something to him, but his approach was purely professional, reflecting his growing connection with the Barcelona squad.
The forward admitted that this victory felt special, though he did approach the match differently than before.
“It’s a special victory, without a doubt, and I’m not going to hide it. I’ve approached this game a little differently than two years ago because I’ve been at Barcelona longer now,” he explained.
His confidence was evident as he mentioned expecting a solid performance and a 3-1 victory before the game even started.
“I was convinced that we would play a good game today and win. Before the game, I was expecting a 3-1 victory.”
Physical condition
Physically, the Polish striker feels as strong as ever, and he acknowledged that the younger players in the team give him added energy.
“Physically I don’t feel any difference and that’s the most important thing. When I look at the young players they give me extra energy, I won’t hide that,” he noted.
The balance between experience and youth in the team is something he values highly, pointing out that experienced players like Inigo Martinez and himself provide stability, while the younger players bring energy and enthusiasm.
“There’s Inigo and I and there are some players in the middle who have experience. We have a lot of youth and we’re trying to take advantage of it.
“I think we’re starting to understand each other better, to know how to use youth and experience.”
Regarding his goal-scoring form, Lewandowski emphasised that it’s not about the number of goals he scores in each game but about how his goals contribute to the team’s victories. That remains his primary focus—helping Barcelona secure wins.
“I feel good. It doesn’t matter much if I score 2 or 3 goals in a match. The most important thing is that my goals bring victories to the team and that is the most important thing for me.”
Pedri’s take
Pedri, another standout performer, played a crucial role when Barça struggled after the 1-1 equaliser. The young midfielder brought much-needed calm to the team, a quality that has often been missing in their more difficult matches.
Now fully recovered from the injuries that had previously plagued him, Pedri celebrated both his own excellent form and the team’s triumph.
The victory against Bayern was particularly meaningful for Pedri, as it marked the end of a long spell of difficult results against the German giants. For Pedri, as a Barcelona fan, it felt rewarding to finally secure a win against Bayern, especially in front of their own fans.
“It was a rival that we hadn’t beaten for a long time and against whom we had suffered tough defeats.
“As a Barça fan, it makes you feel proud and the truth is that we wanted to give it back. What better than here with our fans, who deserve it the most,” he said.
Upcoming El Clasico
As Barça now turn their attention to the upcoming El Clasico against Real Madrid, Pedri expressed confidence in the team’s potential. The win over Bayern has boosted their morale, and Pedri knows that little extra motivation is needed for a Clásico.
“We know that we have a lot of potential in the team and we wanted to make a statement.”
The victory against Bayern has given them the confidence they need as they prepare for the showdown.
“For a Clasico, you don’t need much motivation because you’re already motivated, but this victory gives you a lot of confidence to face El Clásico. We’ll go for it at the Bernabeu.”
Feeling physically at his best, Pedri is enjoying this period of his career, fulfilling his childhood dream of playing for Barcelona.
“I am in one of my best moments. It has been a long time since I was like this physically and now I am managing to have this regularity.
“I have found something that is going very well for me and the truth is that I am enjoying playing for Barça, which was my childhood dream,” he concluded.
Source: Mundo Deportivo