Barcelona’s emphatic 4-1 win over Girona was overshadowed by unexpected controversy within the dressing room. Despite securing a crucial victory that propelled them to the top of La Liga with 66 points—three ahead of Real Madrid and seven above Atletico Madrid—tensions flared behind the scenes.
According to reports from the Spanish newspaper El Nacional, star striker Robert Lewandowski, who played a key role in the match by scoring twice, was left frustrated after missing out on a potential hat-trick. The source of his frustration? His teammate, young left-back Alejandro Balde.
Balde, introduced as a substitute in the second half, had multiple chances to assist Lewandowski, who was in excellent positions to find the net again.
However, instead of passing, the youngster opted for individual play, failing to capitalize on clear opportunities. His reluctance to share the ball with Lewandowski ultimately prevented the Polish forward from completing his hat-trick.
This apparent selfishness did not sit well with Lewandowski, who immediately confronted Balde after the match. The experienced striker made his displeasure known, expressing frustration at his teammate’s decision-making.
Reports suggest that the argument escalated to the point where Lewandowski demanded action from coach Hansi Flick, urging him to consider dropping Balde from future matches.
Balde, once regarded as a key player in Barcelona’s setup, now finds himself in a difficult situation. Lewandowski’s criticism has cast doubt on his role within the squad, raising concerns about potential discord in the dressing room.
With Barcelona aiming to maintain their momentum in the title race, such internal conflicts could disrupt the team’s harmony.
While disagreements among players are common, the severity of this incident could have lasting consequences. If Balde fails to regain the trust of his teammates—especially senior figures like Lewandowski—his position in the squad might become uncertain. At the same time, Hansi Flick will have to carefully manage the situation to ensure team unity remains intact.
As Barcelona pushes forward in their quest for more victories, it remains to be seen how this internal conflict will be resolved. Will Balde learn from the criticism and make better decisions in the future? Or will this incident create lingering tensions within the team? One thing is certain: maintaining harmony within the squad will be crucial for their title aspirations.
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