“Each three points that we add means that we are one step closer to being the champions”
BARCELONA, 13 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
FC Barcelona’s Polish striker Robert Lewandowski showed his optimism ahead of the Clasico, which will be played at the Santiago Bernabéu this Sunday on the ninth day of LaLiga Santander, a “special” duel and one that he understood in the pre-season friendly in Las Vegas “what it means for the club and the fans.”
“In Las Vegas I saw what it means to play a Clásico and the importance for the fans and the club. I understood that it is a huge challenge. I am ready to play it, it went well in preseason. Now it will be a new game, but I have already gained experience having played several times against Real Madrid,” the attacker explained in an interview with the club’s official media, reported by Europa Press.
Precisely, the attacker played his first minutes with the Barça shirt against the white team. A pre-season game that ended in victory for Xavi’s men with a single goal from Raphinha. Now, they will arrive at the Bernabéu touched by the complication of their future in the Champions League, where they hang by a thread by drawing against Inter Milan, so they will try to maintain the leadership in the domestic competition.
“El Clásico is always a different game, but at the end of the day it’s just the next game in LaLiga. Every three points we score means that we’re one step closer to being the champions of LaLiga,” added the attacking benchmark ‘culé’ ‘, who already has 14 goals in 12 games.
A confrontation that for the Pole means fulfilling a dream. “When I watched these games on television, even then I had the dream of being able to play it. Now I will have the opportunity to do it. I hope we can show our best football, be able to win against Real Madrid and return to Barcelona with three points”, he insisted excitedly.
In fact, the Whites will not forget Lewandowski’s four goals in the ‘Champions’ semifinals with Borussia Dortmund in 2014. “There’s a lot of history behind it. I also remember other games, which have always been special and I love playing against them. They are one of the best teams in Europe and in the world”, he stated, although not all the memories against the Madridistas are positive.
“I try not to think too much about all this. These are different circumstances. It doesn’t matter, I’m always more focused on my work, on how we have to play and what we have to do to win, I don’t think about myself or the rival. the best football and in my performance”, explained the 34-year-old striker.
“WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE A LOT OF PATIENCE WITH THE BALL”
Asked about the virtues of his rival, Lewandowski highlighted the compact work of Carlo Ancelotti’s team. “They have an impressive defensive line and a very good midfield. They are capable of anything, we will have to be prepared and have a lot of patience with the ball. When we don’t have it we have to be prepared to attack and win it back. They know very well what they are playing and They have a lot of experience,” he said.
Regarding the young talent of the Catalan squad, the Pole was full of praise from Pedri, Ansu Fati, Gavi and Ferran Torres, among others. “They have a lot of potential. Each season they will play better. We have to help them so that they can show what they are capable of on the pitch, that’s why I think my experience can be of great help to them and I try to give them good advice,” he added.
Precisely, about Fati, his partner in attack recognized “the process” of the young attacker after his period of injury. “It’s clear that he’s had two very tough seasons. It’s normal for him to take his time to get back to the competition rhythm you had before getting injured. He’s on the right track, but he has to be patient,” he said.
“It is normal for a young player to want to go out and play from the first minute, but sometimes it is necessary to stay on the bench. It is clear that he has shown many times that he is the best”, settled on Ansu Fati, called to lead the attack of the Xavi Hernandez’s set.