Poland coach Jan Urban has expressed his surprise at Barcelona’s anger after star forward Robert Lewandowski picked up an injury on international duty. The Polish striker is now set to miss the crucial La Liga Clasico against arch rivals Real Madrid, but the national team boss insists they would never have risked the health of their “big star” at any cost.
Urban has hit back at suggestions his staff were negligent with Lewandowski after the striker sustained an injury on international duty that is set to rule him out of Barcelona’s most awaited clash with Madrid. The forward suffered a torn hamstring in his right thigh in the World Cup qualifying match against Lithuania and will be sidelined for around a month. The injury has caused frustration at Barcelona, where there was reportedly unhappiness that Lewandowski completed the full 90 minutes after feeling the initial setback.
Speaking on Cope, Urban expressed his bewilderment at both the injury’s severity and the criticism levelled at his staff. He insisted the player gave no indication that the issue was serious enough to warrant a substitution.
“I’m the first to be surprised to be out for four weeks with a torn muscle,” Urban stated. “We’ve all seen players who pull a muscle and with a torn muscle, it’s impossible to continue. He said at half-time that he’d noticed something, but nothing more. If it had been more, he would have raised his hand and we would have substituted him, and there was even a player warming up. For us, Robert is a very important player. Three days before, we played a friendly, and knowing that we had to take care of him, he didn’t play.”
The Poland boss was adamant that his team had acted in the player’s best interests, highlighting Lewandowski’s importance to the national side ahead of two crucial matches in November. He also confirmed that he has not been in contact with anyone at the Catalan club regarding the matter.
“I haven’t spoken to Barca because there’s no need. I think Robert isn’t that injured; with a torn muscle, he would have stopped,” Urban said. “The Polish national team has taken very good care of Robert because we need him. We have two matches in November, and he’s our big star. We would never risk Robert’s health.”
Lewandowski’s absence deals a significant blow to Barcelona, who are already contending with a number of key injuries. The 37-year-old, who has scored four goals in nine appearances this season, joins a treatment list that includes long-term absentees Gavi and Marc-Andre ter Stegen, as well as Dani Olmo and Joan Garcia. There is some positive news, however, with ESPN reportingthat Raphinha should be fit for the Clasico, while Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez have returned to training.
The injury means Lewandowski is certain to miss the trip to the Santiago Bernabeu on October 26 to face league leaders Real Madrid. Before the Clasico, Barcelona face Girona in La Liga and Olympiacos in the Champions League, with Torres the most likely option to deputise through the middle. The Catalan side currently sit second in the table, two points behind their great rivals, making Lewandowski’s absence a critical setback in a pivotal part of their season.
