Barcelona in a strong position to meet Hansi Flick’s target of ending 2024 – and starting 2025 – as La Liga leaders.
The Catalan giants produced a superb 3-2 fightback win away at Borussia Dortmund in midweek to effectively book their automatic place in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.
Victory in Dortmund was sealed by a late substitution from Flick, as Ferran Torres replaced Robert Lewandowski for the final 20 minutes, and the Spain international scored twice late on.
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Lewandowski has been in sensational form for Flick so far this season – leading the La Liga goal charts with 16 – and the Champions League rankings with seven so far.
However, ahead of a tricky end to 2024, the veteran Poland star could be rotated, to protect him from injury and ensure a fast start to 2025.
Lewandowski’s physical capabilities have not dropped this season – despite turning 36 in August – with no club games missed through injury so far in 2024/25.
As per data from Marca, the striker has started 16 of Barcelona’s 17 La Liga games (left on the bench for one) and all six in the Champions League.
That has effectively means no rest period, which is a concern for Flick, as he looks to tick off the end of 2024.
Lewandowski has only completed 90 minutes in 10 of those matches, as Flick looks to protect him late in games, particularly if Barcelona are winning.
Barcelona have won just one of their last five league games, as Real Madrid have closed the title gap to two points, and Flick will serve a touchline ban for the final two games December – at home to Leganes and Atletico Madrid.
Torres could be drafted in, to allow for a break in one of those games, with no league matches on the schedule from December 22 and January 19.