Robert Lewandowski accepted that he might have played one of his best games for FC Barcelona on Sunday when helping them thrash Atletico Madrid 3-0 at the Metropolitano.
Written off by many earlier this season, the Pole was outstanding in Barca’s last La Liga match ahead of the international break to prolong a strong sequence of top form as of late.
His two goals and assist against Diego Simeone’s men were crucial, with the veteran rightly handed the MVP award and in good spirits during a short post-match interview with DAZN Espana.
“It could be,” he answered, when it was put to him that the weekend’s showing might have been one of his best since joining from Bayern Munich in 2022.
“We played very well. We had the game under control, and we scored three goals at this ground, which is very difficult”.
Barca seem to have improved on the whole, and Lewandowski explained some of the factors that could be behind a boost that also seems to have been influenced by qualifying for the Champions League quarterfinals on Tuesday.
“In recent weeks we have changed the training a little, with a little more intensity. I feel really good and I think my teammates feel [really good] too. We have to continue like this after the [international] break. It’s time to step up.”
Seen constantly giving advice to the young players of the team such as Fermin Lopez, Lamine Yamal an Pau Cubarsi to name a few, Lewandowski noted that it is his responsibility to do so.
“But I also need them to help me by passing the ball to me or sending crosses,” he joked.
Before wrapping things up, Lewandowski stressed that “the most important thing is to keep playing like today”.
“We know how we can play, we have great potential with great players. A great squad combining youngsters with older players,” he concluded, pointing to a formula that is often presented as being the blueprint for a Champions League-winning team.
After going all the way with Bayern in 2020, Lewandowski knows what it takes to lift club football’s most sought after trophy and should not be denied the right to dream in a Barca side that was previously dormant but now seems to be waking up at the perfect time.