FC Barcelona have suffered a significant blow ahead of their crucial Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Atlético Madrid, after star striker Robert Lewandowski was officially ruled out of the match due to injury.
The veteran Polish forward, now 37, will be unavailable for what is shaping up to be a decisive and extremely difficult encounter. Barcelona must attempt to overturn a crushing 4–0 deficit from the first leg — a task that would require an extraordinary comeback performance in front of their home supporters at Camp Nou. Without their leading goal scorer, the challenge facing the Catalan side has become even more daunting.
In an official statement, the club confirmed that medical tests revealed Lewandowski sustained a fracture in the bone located inside his left eye socket. The injury occurred during Barcelona’s recent league match against Villarreal CF.
According to reports, the incident happened late in the game when the striker collided heavily with defender Pau Navarro while contesting possession. During the clash, Lewandowski’s face struck the defender’s shoulder, causing immediate discomfort around his eye area.
Despite the painful impact, the experienced striker showed determination by continuing to play until the final whistle. He even managed to find the net in the closing moments, scoring Barcelona’s fourth goal into an empty net after receiving a precise pass from Jules Koundé. However, subsequent medical evaluation confirmed the severity of the injury, forcing him out of the upcoming high-stakes match.
Lewandowski’s absence creates a major headache for head coach Hansi Flick, who is already dealing with multiple squad issues. Defender Eric García will miss the game due to suspension, while key players such as Frenkie de Jong, Andreas Christensen, and Gavi remain sidelined with injuries.
These setbacks have significantly reduced Barcelona’s attacking depth, leaving the coaching staff with limited options in the final third. As a result, Ferran Torres is expected to take on a central role in the attack as the team’s primary forward.
Heading into the decisive second leg, Barcelona face immense pressure. Not only must they produce a near-perfect performance to overturn a massive deficit, but they must also do so while coping with a depleted squad at one of the most critical moments of their season.
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