FC Barcelona dey face serious test tonight as dem host Atlético Madrid for Champions League quarter-final first leg. The Culers dey fly high for La Liga, dem get seven points clear on top ahead of Real Madrid wey dey second place. But dis European night na different ball game entirely.
Barca just comot from 2-1 win for Atletico backyard, Estadio Metropolitano. Na tight comeback wey dem pull. Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski both score late goals for both halves to give Hansi Flick men all three points. Atleti don already take lead through Giuliano Simeone, Diego son, before dem show Nico Gonzalez red card for half time.
For Europe, both teams don pass English opposition to reach here. Barca scatter Newcastle United 8-3 for aggregate, after 7-2 mauling for Nou Camp second leg follow 1-1 draw for St James' Park. Atleti too don finish Tottenham for first leg of dia last 16 match, and even though dem lose 3-2 for return leg, dem still win 7-5 for aggregate.
Now, all eye dey on one man: Robert Lewandowski. For dat La Liga match against Atletico, tension dey high. Hansi Flick look him bench, and e know say e get perfect answer wey dey there. On come Lewandowski. And like many times before, di Polish striker score.
Di goal no be beautiful one. João Cancelo moves were great, e cut twice to open space for shot wey Juan Musso for goal parry away. Lewandowski just dey for right place, at right time, and e get correct contact. Na reflex to bounce di ball back with him shoulder. You fit even call am “tap-in” goal.
But na dat instinct dey make Lewandowski great. As e near 38, di forward no dey beat many with pace again and e no get stamina to press consistent like person like Ferran Torres. But e get knack for dey for right place at right time, and skills to finish chances.
Dis year no be banner year for Lewandowski. Because of injuries and other factors, e don be substitute almost as many times as e don start. But on di other hand, e no be disaster at all. E don score 17 goals for Catalans dis season.
Barça don call Ferran Torres plenty dis season. For many ways, na Lewandowski opposite. Fast, with good stamina, and also get reputation for missing too many chances. Like Lewandowski season, e go wrong to call Torres season bad one. E get 16 goals so far for all competitions.
Di Shark allow Barcelona to spell Lewandowski with more natural fit than to rely on Dani Olmo or Marcus Rashford to moonlight as number 9. As much as Barcelona see Torres as viable option to turn to, Lewandowski still be starter as of now.
Na one of Champions League greatest legends—e get more career goals for Europe elite competition not named Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Di big question now be: e still get enough fuel for tank for one last great run to di trophy? Tonight match go show part of di answer.
For UK, di game go show live on TNT Sports 2, with coverage wey go start by 7.30pm BST. TNT Sports subscribers fit also catch di contest live online via HBO Max app and website. You fit follow all di action on matchday via Standard Sport live blog.
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