Every player has to go through ups and downs, and the reality is no different at a club like FC Barcelona. Despite the fact that the Catalan giants always try to sign the best players available, even superstars can have bad games. However, unlike most other clubs, the criticism at Barcelona is always much harsher.
It simply does not matter what an individual has accomplished throughout their career if they do not perform in the present. Such are the demands at Barcelona, and any player who joins the club is well aware of these expectations and what it takes to meet them.
Unfortunately, this season is a good example of things starting to go wrong once those expectations are not being met. Robert Lewandowski, for instance, has been struggling in recent games and has failed to convert some clear chances that came his way.
In his most recent outing against Atletico Madrid, the Polish ace was once again guilty of squandering some good chances. As a consequence, another former player has now showcased just how much outsiders will be critiquing these players if they are not up to the mark.
As highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, Dutch icon Marco van Basten recently spoke about Lewandowski’s missed opportunities and the match between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. For him, the Polish striker’s missed opportunity made him ‘want to cry’:
“The missed opportunity by Robert Lewandowski makes me want to cry.”
Having been a striker himself formerly, the Dutch icon is one of the greats of the game. Similarly, however, Lewandowski himself is someone who is regarded as one of the best forwards of his generation. Such levels of criticism from one striker to another clearly showcases just how poor the Pole was in terms of his finishing.
However, Van Basten also made sure to critique Atletico Madrid and how they went about the game, despite the fact that they managed to win at the end:
“Of course, Atlético Madrid is happy, but they should be ashamed when they play so poorly.”
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FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick with club director Deco planning for the 2024-2025 season.
VITORIA GASTEIZ, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 3: sports director Deco of FC Barcelona during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Deportivo Alaves v FC Barcelona at the Mendizorroza Stadium on February 3, 2024 in Vitoria Gasteiz Spain.
BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 30: Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona controls the ball whilst under pressure from Mika Marmol and Enzo Loiodice of UD Las Palmas during the LaLiga match between FC Barcelona and UD Las Palmas at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on November 30, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain.
While Barcelona may have dominated the game, this was simply not the result they wanted. Moreover, with Robert Lewandowski clearly struggling to make an impact, the club reportedly expects a response from him to turn things around heading into the new year.