La Liga Matchday 16: How Should Barcelona Utilize Lewandowski? Almería Desperately Seek Their First Win

La Liga's 16th round of fixtures continued on the evening of December 10th. Barcelona's Polish striker Robert Lewandowski has now gone three matches without finding the net, yet Xavi Hernandez still trusted him to start and play the full match. Perhaps Xavi should take a cue from his mentor Pep Guardiola, who expertly manages Erling Haaland's playing time. After all, Lewandowski is twelve years older than Haaland. Meanwhile, bottom-placed Almería are still searching for their first win after 15 rounds, raising the question: are they aiming to surpass last season's record set by Elche, who didn't secure their first victory until the 20th round?

Barcelona vs. Girona: Is Lewandowski's Goal Drought Due to Age?

Real Madrid's draw against Real Betis this round has opened up an opportunity for both Barcelona and Girona to overtake them in the standings. Last round, Barcelona demonstrated the defensive efficiency reminiscent of last season, edging Atlético Madrid 1-0 thanks to a first-half goal from João Félix. With their Champions League progression already secured, Barcelona fielded a near full-strength squad in La Liga. Stand-in goalkeeper Iñaki Peña, filling in for the injured Marc-André ter Stegen, achieved his first clean sheet in his third match, which is a significant confidence boost for Barça's defense. Ter Stegen may be out for another two months, making defensive stability crucial.

While the defense appears temporarily stable, there are concerns on the offensive end. Key striker Robert Lewandowski has played full matches in three consecutive games without scoring. Although Xavi's absolute trust in him is commendable, using extended playing time to spark a 35-year-old veteran's form might not be effective. Facing a strong opponent this round, Lewandowski is expected to start again, but he might benefit from starting on the bench in next week's away game against Antwerp in Belgium.

Many teams have been waiting to see when Girona will falter this season, but they have remained resilient. After 15 rounds, they are only 11 points short of last season's total. Girona's summer signings have been particularly successful, especially in defense. Former Ajax champion defender Daley Blind and Barcelona loanee Eric Garcia have quickly become mainstays. Without any exclusion clauses, Garcia is eligible to play against Barça in this match, which Xavi might regret. Last season, Girona made a memorable impression at Camp Nou by holding Barcelona to a 0-0 draw, with Garcia playing the full match for Barcelona. In this round at Barça's temporary home ground, Garcia aims for another clean sheet. Based on recent form, a 0-0 scoreline is indeed a possibility.

Atlético Madrid vs. Almería: How Many More Matches Until the Bottom-Placed Team's First Win?

Currently fourth, Atlético Madrid lead Real Sociedad by two points with two games in hand, making it relatively easy to maintain their position in the Champions League spots. With league leaders Real Madrid drawing, Atlético also have a glimmer of hope for the title, trailing by only eight points with two games in hand. However, Atlético suffered a setback in their last match against Barcelona, where their attack failed to break through. More embarrassingly for Atlético, João Félix, on loan to Barça, celebrated wildly after scoring against them, indicating that his chances of returning to Atlético next season are slim.

Almería, after 15 rounds, are still without a win, much like last season's bottom-placed Elche, who also had just four draws at this point and ultimately faced inevitable relegation. Almería might share the same fate. In their last home game against Real Betis, Almería delivered a rare impressive performance, dominating possession with over 60% and creating 20 shooting opportunities—three times more than Betis. However, Betis goalkeeper Rui Silva was outstanding, and the match ended 0-0.

Atlético have won 16 consecutive home games in La Liga, underscoring the difficulty for the bottom-placed team to gain any points. Despite an upcoming crucial Champions League match against Lazio to decide the group winner, this shouldn't hinder Atlético from taking points from Almería. Atlético are expected to secure a comfortable 3-0 victory in this match.

The Lewandowski Conundrum: Age and Performance

Robert Lewandowski, despite his age, remains one of Barcelona's key offensive threats. His recent goal drought, however, has raised questions about his utilization. At 35, Lewandowski's endurance and recovery time are naturally longer than younger players. Xavi’s strategy of playing him full matches might not be the best approach. Managing an aging striker's playing time is critical to maintain his effectiveness throughout the season.

Pep Guardiola's management of Erling Haaland offers a potential blueprint. By strategically resting Haaland, Guardiola ensures his star striker remains fresh and explosive. Xavi could adopt a similar approach with Lewandowski, especially given the packed fixture schedule. Rotating him, particularly in less crucial matches or when victory is assured, could prolong his career and maximize his contributions.

Defensive Stability Amid Offensive Concerns

Barcelona’s recent defensive performances have been encouraging, especially considering the absence of Ter Stegen. Iñaki Peña's clean sheet against Atlético Madrid was a significant morale boost. However, maintaining this stability without compromising offensive potency is the challenge. With Ter Stegen sidelined, the defense needs to be consistently robust, and Xavi's tactical adjustments will be crucial.

On the offensive end, the reliance on Lewandowski needs to be balanced with contributions from other players. Joao Félix's recent form is promising, but a multi-pronged attack strategy would reduce pressure on Lewandowski and make Barcelona less predictable.

Girona’s Resilience and Defensive Reinforcements

Girona’s impressive start to the season has surprised many. Their successful summer signings, particularly in defense, have played a key role. Daley Blind and Eric Garcia have fortified the backline, providing stability and experience. Garcia, on loan from Barcelona, has been pivotal and will be crucial in the upcoming clash against his parent club.

Girona's ability to sustain their form will be tested against Barcelona. Last season's goalless draw at Camp Nou was a testament to their defensive discipline. Repeating such a performance would be a significant achievement and further evidence of their resilience.

Almería's Struggles and Atlético’s Dominance

Almería’s season has been a tale of struggles and missed opportunities. Their inability to secure a win after 15 rounds mirrors the plight of last season's bottom-placed Elche. Despite showing glimpses of quality, such as their dominant performance against Real Betis, they have failed to convert these into victories.

Facing Atlético Madrid, who boast a formidable home record, will be a daunting task. Atlético's 16 consecutive home wins in La Liga highlight the challenge Almería faces. While Almería showed potential against Betis, they will need a near-perfect performance to trouble Atlético.

Atlético’s Title Hopes and Champions League Ambitions

Atlético Madrid find themselves in a strong position both domestically and in Europe. Their current standing in La Liga and their Champions League campaign underscore their potential for a successful season. The upcoming match against Lazio will be crucial in determining their European trajectory.

Domestically, Atlético’s pursuit of Real Madrid is very much alive. The recent draw by Real Madrid against Betis has opened a window of opportunity. With two games in hand and an eight-point gap, Atlético's title ambitions are within reach. However, maintaining focus and consistency will be key, starting with a strong performance against Almería.

Conclusion

The dynamics in La Liga continue to evolve, with key fixtures and strategic decisions shaping the outcomes. Barcelona's management of Lewandowski’s playing time, Girona's surprising resilience, and Almería’s quest for their first win add intriguing subplots to the season. Meanwhile, Atlético Madrid’s ambitions on both domestic and European fronts set the stage for an exciting second half of the campaign. The strategies and performances in the coming weeks will be pivotal in determining the fortunes of these teams.