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Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski in action against Osasuna's David Garcia (left)
Photo:
Alvaro Barrientos/AP
World footballer Robert Lewandowski has been sent off for the first time since moving from FC Bayern Munich to FC Barcelona.
The exceptional Polish striker saw the yellow-red card in the Primera División game at CA Osasuna in Pamplona on Tuesday evening.
Nevertheless, even with a man down, the Catalans managed to win 2-1, which kept them at the top of the table.
In addition, the cursing Gerard Piqué saw the red card – even though he didn't play at all.
For Lewandowski it was the first dismissal after more than nine and a half years.
He last saw the red card in a Borussia Dortmund jersey on February 9, 2013 in the Bundesliga game against Hamburger SV.
In Pamplona he received his first yellow card in the first half because of a jersey pluck (11th minute).
After the second yellow card, the 34-year-old had to leave the field in the 31st minute.
As the visibly upset Pole marched off the field, he put his index finger to his nose and then pointed to the referee.
Referee Gil Manzano noted in the minutes of the game that Lewandowski had expressed "disapproval of the referee's decision" with the gesture.
Lewandowski could get a three-game ban.
In the half-time break, Piqué, who was only there as a substitute, verbally attacked the referee and got the red card.
According to the Spanish media, he is said to have said to Manzano, among other things: »Did you see which corner you gave us?
You are the referee who fooled us the most by far.« The 35-year-old then resorted to expletives about the referee.
Piqué surprisingly announced last Thursday that the game against UD Almeria on Saturday would be the last of his career.
He was still on the bench against Osasuna in the last game before the World Cup break.
The Catalans, with goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, now lead the Primera División table with 37 points, five more than arch-rivals Real Madrid.
The champions host FC Cadiz on Thursday and a win could close the gap again.
ara/dpa