Lewandowski ruled out for three weeks – Ferran, Olmo or a 3-4-3? Hansi Flick’s options assessed | OneFootball

FC Barcelona may have pulled off a thrilling remontada to beat Celta Vigo 4-3 in La Liga, despite being second best for much of the game. However, the victory was marred by a cruel blow as Robert Lewandowski had to be taken off with a muscle injury.

It was later confirmed to be a thigh injury for the Polish marksman, who has been in excellent goalscoring form this season. The 36-year-old is Barcelona’s highest goalscorer so far this season, scoring 40 goals in 48 games across all competitions.

Despite his advancing age and a general regression in other facets of his game, Lewandowski has not lost his clinical touch in front of the goal. With a Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid and a Champions League semifinal against Inter Milan on the horizon, the injury has come at the wrong time for Barcelona.

In the number nine’s absence, Hansi Flick will have to find a solution on how he wants to line up in games going forward, and we at BNN bring to you three ways in which the German coach could set Barcelona up in the absence of Robert Lewandowski.

Option 1: The tried and tested!

The easiest way in which Hansi Flick could replace Robert Lewandowski would be something he has been doing in the second-half of games on many occasions this season – bringing in Ferran Torres and making the Spaniard play as the number nine.

The shark, as he likes to be called, is in the form of his life, netting 17 times in 40 games across all competitions so far this season, despite not often getting a chance to start. Ferran has made the most of his opportunities from the bench.

In Lewandowski’s absence, Flick could choose to keep things simple and start Ferran as the striker. The Spaniard is in good goalscoring form and has the ability to lead a line expertly. It would make sense if the German coach went down this road.

Although Barcelona would be missing some of the Pole’s hold-up play, Ferran is better than the veteran in terms of getting behind the defense and making runs. His pace helps him reach balls that Lewandowski might not, and he will need to have his shooting boots sharp and refined.

Lineup built using FotMob

Option 2: The maverick

Hansi Flick tried this formation just once this season against Real Betis in the Copa del Rey, and it resulted in a resounding 5-1 win over the La Liga side. It is a truly maverick formation that tends to make the team very unpredictable for the opposition.

The key to this formation is the fitness of Dani Olmo, who has to start as the number nine in a false-nine capacity. There aren’t many players in the world who are better than the Spaniard at playing in between the lines, and his understanding of the game is top-notch.

Should Hansi Flick go with this formation, he will be lining up with four midfielders on the pitch that would give his side a lot of control, and constant interchanges between the players could make this system potent even against top opposition.

The huge plus here is how good of a finisher Dani Olmo is in front of the goal, but the 26-year-old has struggled to stay fit for a run of games this season, and thus, Hansi Flick might have to be wary of using a system that is heavily dependent on him.

Option 3: The left-field choice!

This is a completely left-field option that we are throwing out there, and something Hansi Flick is unlikely to use this late in the season. There is always room for experimentation, but this formation would be taking it a bit too far.

The key to this formation is the immense work rate of both Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, who will have to do a lot of work defensively and in attack, and it might not be sustainable to alter the positions of two of the best players this season.

Hansi Flick could choose to go with a 3-4-3 formation, something similar to what Ruben Amorim deploys at Man Utd. The backline could have Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, and Jules Kounde with Raphinha and Lamine occupying the flanks.

Pedri and Frenkie de Jong continue to operate as the midfielders in this system. Dani Olmo and one of Fermin Lopez or Gavi could occupy the inside forwards/hybrid number 10 roles, with Ferran Torres tasked with leading the line.

On paper, this seems to be an interesting formation, but it is too big of a risk to take at a time when every game is a virtual final. Thus, it would be almost impossible to see Hansi Flick go down this road, at least this season.

Conclusion:

Irrespective of how Hansi Flick decides to set the team up, there is no doubt that they will miss Robert Lewandowski, one way or the other. All that one can hope for is that the team pulls together and helps each other out in the absence of the Pole.

With Barcelona in the reckoning for all three trophies this late in the season, it was only a matter of time before the injuries started accumulating. The best sides always find a way to pull through in spite of that, and let’s wait and see how Hansi Flick & co. fare in the coming weeks.