Robert Lewandowski has given an interesting interview to the Polish newspaper Pitka Nozna. In it, he talks about his experiences of three years at Barça.
He also discusses the shortcomings of Xavi Hernández and the success of Hansi Flick that justify their different trajectories at Barça.
Impressed with Lamine Yamal
Lewandowski starts by talking about Lamine Yamal, who has absolutely surprised him: "He came to train with us. I asked him how old are you, he told me fifteen and I replied that it was impossible....
...It was the first time I saw a boy who impressed me so much. Honestly, I haven't seen anyone like him. It's not about talent itself, but the fact that he plays as if he were five or seven years older."
He adds that "Lamine picks up certain things quickly. It's hard to explain, but there's an internal connection between players that you can't see, but it exists. I'm starting to feel something similar with Yamal."
It also happens with others: "Not only with him, but also with Pedri. Every game I understand him better and also with Raphinha."
The Problem with Raphinha
With the Brazilian forward, he had a problem: "He passed the ball very hard. So difficult that sometimes there's no time to react...
...Then I explained to him: Rapha, it's better to play lighter but precise, because if you play hard, it's difficult for the striker to counter the ball, control it, or adjust his passes to the shot. In my third year at Barcelona, we started to understand each other better."
He also talked about his adaptation to Barça and the city of Barcelona: "This is my third season at Barcelona. I can honestly say that after these first two years, I finally felt a bit different here: in the club, in the city, in a new country...
..."I'm completely adapted. The first year everything was new and fresh. The second year was a bit of a transition, but now I feel 100% acclimated...
...I feel it even in my relationships and contacts with young players. I've mastered the Spanish language at a different and higher level. Let's call it, very conventionally, youthful communication...
"Good Economic Times Are Coming for Barça"
...I'm talking about usual and everyday jokes. Because even if you learn to use the Spanish language simply, you won't understand the nuances, the jokes. Now I'm starting to understand this youthful slang better and know how and what the guys talk about in the locker room."
He also referred to the club's economic situation: "If someone follows everything from a distance and reads in the media, it may seem that everything is wrong.... However, I have a different perspective, I'm close, and I know that good times are gradually approaching for this club...
...When I arrived in Barcelona, I was aware of the challenges this club faced. For what the board and the president have done in the last four years to overcome the financial crisis. Because the club was perhaps on the verge of bankruptcy just a few years ago, I'm full of admiration and respect for these people."
Xavi's Shortcoming and Flick's Virtue
He finally refers to his experience with Xavi Hernández and Hansi Flick. He has experienced their work with them from the inside and has the judgment to draw conclusions:
"I always said that Xavi had it all. He was very attached to the club, the environment, even the journalists. I think sometimes it's good to be a little distant, to gain some distance," Lewandowski said.
The Polish forward makes it very clear. Xavi was so committed to the club due to his more than 20 years of history in it, that he got involved and had no problem getting into all the messes.
In contrast, Hansi Flick has opted for distancing himself from the environment by using the language as a shield and avoids the commotion that could disrupt the harmony of the locker room.