Barcelona stalwart likely to retain starting spot vs Osasuna despite recent concerns | OneFootball

Barcelona are expected to have Robert Lewandowski leading the attack against Osasuna, despite recent concerns about his fitness.

In fact, according to SPORT, the Polish striker appears set to start the match at Montjuic on Thursday, which is a positive boost for Hansi Flick’s team.

During the international break, Lewandowski played a decisive role in Poland’s narrow 1-0 victory over Lithuania. He scored the only goal of the match in the 81st minute before being substituted.

However, after the game, he experienced discomfort in his calf, which raised concerns about his availability for Barcelona’s upcoming fixtures.

At one point, there was even speculation that he might return to Barcelona early to avoid unnecessary risks. In the end, he chose to remain with the national team.

Partially rested against Malta

Poland’s second match of the break saw Lewandowski left out of the starting lineup. He remained on the bench against Malta and was only introduced in the 66th minute.

Robert Lewandowski is likely to start against Osasuna. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

This decision allowed him to manage his workload, ensuring that he did not overexert himself during the international window.

The limited playing time could prove beneficial for Barcelona, as it has given him additional rest ahead of a crucial run of games.

Good news for Barcelona

Barcelona’s clash with Osasuna was originally scheduled for earlier this month but had to be postponed. At the time, Hansi Flick had considered resting Lewandowski for the match.

However, with the striker getting limited minutes during the international break, the circumstances have changed. Given his brief appearances with Poland, he is now likely to start in attack.

Having Lewandowski on the pitch from the beginning will be a major advantage for Barcelona.

His experience, goal-scoring ability, and leadership make him a key figure in the team. If fully fit, he could play a decisive role in securing a crucial victory for Barça at Montjuic.