Barcelona to tackle Real Madrid in Copa del Rey without star striker
Barcelona's El Clasico plans have been shattered by the news that Robert Lewandowski will miss the first leg of the Copa del Rey against Real Madrid.
Barcelona announce Lewandowski injury
The club announced via Twitter that Lewandowski had succumbed to a hamstring strain that will keep him out at least for the next few games.
Barcelona did not set a timeline for Lewandowski’s return, only saying that the Polish striker’s recovery will determine his availability for the first team.
Lewandowski might take anything from a few days to a few weeks to recover from a hamstring injury, meaning that he will definitely be out of contention for Barcelona in the Copa del Rey when they visit the Bernabeu.
Lewandowski might also miss Barcelona’s LaLiga game against Valencia this weekend, but will almost certainly be available for the Copa del Rey second leg against Real Madrid at Camp Nou.
Barcelona to play without their best goalscorers
Lewandowski will be a big miss for Barcelona, as he is currently the team’s top scorer with 25 goals in all competitions this season.
Barcelona’s second-highest goalscorer in all competitions is Ousmane Dembele, who has scored eight goals and will also be unavailable for selection against Real Madrid through injury.
With Pedri and Ansu Fati also injured and expected to miss the trip to the Bernabeu in the Copa del Rey, Barcelona will have four of their top five goal scorers this season out of contention for El Clasico.
Raphinha, who has scored only seven goals, is the only one among their top goal-scorers who is fit for Barcelona, and he is the one on whom they will likely depend against Real Madrid.
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