Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 5:25 PM• Jeroen van Poppel

Robert Lewandowski responded to his frustrations according to ASH after the elimination in the Europa League against Manchester United (2-1 loss) to Ansu Fati. The Barcelona top striker was deeply annoyed at a moment in the final stages of the game when Fati failed to let the ball run for Lewandowski. “And this is not the first time you’ve done this,” the Pole would have told his teammate, who was fourteen years younger.

After the 2-2 draw at Camp Nou, Barcelona visited Manchester United last Thursday. Shortly after Antony had signed for 2-1 in minute 73, Fati was allowed to enter the field at the side of Barcelona. The Catalans searched with all their might for the equalizer, which would have meant an extension in any case. He came close when Ferran Torres brought the ball in front of the goal in the final phase. Lewandowski was the intended end station, but Fati took the ball instead. The youngster blew the chance, much to Lewandowski’s frustration.

Already on the field, the Polish striker made no secret of his anger. First he made it clear to Ferran with arm gestures that Fati had robbed him of a great opportunity. Then went Lewa also to captain Jordi Alba to express his bewilderment. In the locker room, Lewandowski then turned to Fati himself. The former striker of Bayern Munich ‘respectfully’ pointed out to the left winger that the same situation had occurred on February 1 in the duel with Real Betis (1-2 win): even then, Lewandowski felt that Fati was denying a goal. The latter defended himself by saying he had not seen Lewandowski at Old Trafford at the time.

Another injury for Ansu Fati
Shortly after the duel with Manchester United, Fati was injured again in training. The twenty-year-old attacker of Barcelona sustained a bruise to his left knee, the Catalans report through the official club channels. It is not known exactly how long Fati will be out of circulation. The seven-time Spain international was previously out for a full calendar year when he tore his meniscus on November 8, 2020.