Barcelona recovers the goal

Lewandowski poses with the Barça shirt in his presentation ceremony.CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH (EFE)

When Xavi Hernández arrived at the Barcelona bench, he asked to be a voice and a vote in the configuration of the team and in the signings, a wish granted by the president Joan Laporta, even though it raised blisters in the sports area, staged with the goodbye of the technical secretary Ramon Planes .

"We are delighted with Mateu Alemany [sports director] because he not only listens but also works like crazy to get what is asked of him," they admitted a couple of months later from the Barça coaching staff.

And now, in this market, more of the same is happening.

“We asked Lewandowski, who was a priority, and here he is.

But we need to shore up the defense”, they point out from the technical area.

They are also on their way.

But, for now, with what is up, they already know that they have a goal after Messi's goodbye two years ago,

That was demonstrated in the early hours of Tuesday to Wednesday against Inter Miami at the DRV PNK Stadium, when the team scored six goals for six soles.

And, curiously, they were all the work of a different attacker, the three who played in the first half (Aubameyang, Raphinha and Ansu) and the three who did so in the second (Dembélé, Gavi and Memphis).

“We have a goal”, congratulates a Barça source from the offices of the sports city;

"But not only that because with these players we will also have the initiative, since it is difficult for the rivals to want to play us in the open field".

And that Robert Lewandowski saw it from the stands, because he barely exercised a little on the grass to activate, already waiting for it to debut in the friendly classic against Madrid in Las Vegas, this Sunday (5.00).

"In football it is necessary to want to win and I am in the best place to do it," said the Polish striker, finally presented in society —the act was delayed one day because the fringes in the contract needed to be closed;

and another one because they didn't want it to coincide with game day—at the Conrad Hotel in Fortlauderdale Beach.

Six forwards, three positions

The striker, who has cost 45 million fixed plus five in variables, is the best expression of the goal.

At Bayern he adorned his resume with 526 goals and 143 assists in 707 games, also winner of the last two European Golden Boots.

And it could be more.

"You should have the Ballon d'Or at home," Messi acknowledged in reference to the award two seasons ago, when it was not awarded due to the pandemic.

But he wasn't the only one to compliment him, because Xavi was clear about it last year, before Bayern passed him over: “If he's not the best centre-forward, he's one of the best.

We have to stop him with the entire defensive line and get him out of the area because that's where it's definitive”.

He now has him in his team, an objective that was set by the coaching staff, which Xavi promoted in a meeting they had in Ibiza and that Alemany closed.

So his presence in the

It is taken for granted and the accounts no longer work out for some, although less so for Braithwaite and Abde, who already know that they do not count for the coach, nor for a Memphis that has been suggested to look for a team because they will not have minutes.

But there are another five who remain for two positions.

And playing is expensive.

Raphinha has been signed for 58 million plus seven in variables;

Dembélé has been renewed —”he can be the best in the world in his position”, said Xavi—;

and Ferran Torres follows, a footballer who was promised to be the team's philosopher's stone for his sporting resurrection.

There is also Ansu Fati, who gave him Messi's 10;

and Aubameyang remains, who does nothing but sing goals.

“Before Inter Miami I saw the potential of the team.

I am ready to join and we have a good projection to win titles”, resolved Lewandowski.

A lot of dynamite for Xavi, who can begin to resolve doubts on the North American tour -after Madrid they will fight Juve-, now that they have already validated his visa after the initial refusal for having been to Iran three times (a country in which US blacklist) when he was Al Saad coach.

Clearer he has it on defense, but pieces are missing.

One will be Azpilicueta (Chelsea) and Koundé (Seville) is advancing, while it is not known if Marcos Alonso (Chelsea) will arrive.

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