Barcelona are back in the UCL, and so is Robert Lewandowski. The Polish striker is familiar with the European competition, having played for Borussia Dortmund in the UCL final in 2013 before winning it with Bayern Munich in 2020 as the Bavarians completed the second treble in the club’s history.
Since leaving Bayern Munich for Barcelona, the 35-year-old hasn’t had the chance to prove himself in the UCL, with Barca playing in the Europa League last season after being dumped out of the Champions League group stages. Lewandowski has started this season’s UCL campaign with a historic goal as he joins an exclusive league of Ronaldo and Messi in terms of goals scored in the competition.
Lewandowski becomes third player to reach 100 European goals alongside Messi and Ronaldo
This is the first European club competition to be played since 2004 without Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi. Despite the duo’s absence in Europe this season, they left quite a mark during their playing career in Europe, scoring loads of goals that current players in Europe’s elite competitions may struggle to match.
Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski has proven his worth as he joins Ronaldo and Messi to become the third player to reach 100 European goals by scoring in Barcelona’s first fixture of UCL 2023/24.
The former Bayern Munich striker got on the end of a beautiful pass from Joao Felix to double Barcelona’s advantage after the latter had scored the team’s first goal in the 11th minute. While Barcelona cruised to victory, all eyes were on Robert Lewandowski as he marked the occasion with his 100th European goal.
The goal was much needed for the Polish striker, who had struggled for goals this season, and his effort in Barca’s UCL opener will do wonders for his confidence going forward. Xavi will now hope the goal is a wake-up call for Lewandowski to go on a goalscoring run as Barcelona hope to defend their La Liga title this season while also making a statement in the UCL.
Robert Lewandowski scored in Barcelona’s thumping UCL start
If anyone had written Barcelona off before the start of the current UCL campaign, a 5-0 thrashing of Royal Antwerp in the club’s opener would have sent a strong message to the rest of the teams in the competition that they are a team to be taken seriously.
New signing Joao Felix gave his best performance in recent years as he dictated the play from the start to the point where he was taken off. The Portuguese winger scored two goals and provided the assist that got Robert Lewandowski his 100th European goal.
Xavi is no stranger to the competition as he won it four times during his playing days at Barcelona, including two separate trebles under Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique. The Spaniard will now draw inspiration from those glory days to lead Barcelona to another possible UCL win this season.
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