Tag: Robert Lewandowski

  • “Barcelona Reaches Peak Performance under Xavi in Champions League Opener”

    “Barcelona Reaches Peak Performance under Xavi in Champions League Opener”

    By  Milcah  Tanimu

    Barcelona’s manager, Xavi Hernandez, has expressed his belief that the team is currently performing at its best level since he assumed the managerial role.

    Xavi’s comments followed Barcelona’s impressive 5-0 victory over Antwerp in their Champions League opener on Tuesday. The team showcased a dominant performance with João Félix scoring twice, accompanied by goals from Robert Lewandowski, Gavi, and a Jelle Bataille own goal. This victory marked the second time in four days that Barcelona had secured a 5-0 win, following their triumph against Real Betis on Saturday.

    Xavi expressed his satisfaction with the result and, more importantly, the team’s style of play. He took over as Barcelona’s coach in November 2021, leading the club to the LaLiga title in the previous season.

    While analyzing the match, Xavi noted, “The early stages tonight were even because we didn’t press high well, but from the 20th minute, I thought we controlled the game. We dominated possession, recovered balls high, and attacked well positionally.”

    He also highlighted the positive impact of certain players on the team’s performance, saying, “Obviously the level of the team goes up when [Ilkay] Gündogan plays, [João] Cancelo knows what we want, and Félix has started well. I think these last two games are the best level we have shown with me in charge. It’s the path to follow.”

    Xavi’s optimism about the team’s performance and style of play suggests that Barcelona is on the right track in their pursuit of success in the Champions League and other competitions.

  • Robert Lewandowski Named FIFA’s Best Player Of 2021

    Robert Lewandowski Named FIFA’s Best Player Of 2021

    Bayern Munich’s record-setting striker Robert Lewandowski retained FIFA’s top men’s player title Monday at “The Best” of 2021 ceremony as Barcelona captain Alexia Putellas collected the award for best women’s player.

    The 33-year-old Lewandowski, who set a Bundesliga goal record last season, won the trophy for the second time, edging Argentine Lionel Messi of Paris Saint-Germain and Egyptian Mohamed Salah of Liverpool.

    It was some consolation for the Polish striker who lost out to Messi for the Ballon d’Or in November.

    For Putellas, it marked an awards double as the Spaniard triumphed over Barcelona team-mate Jennifer Hermoso and Chelsea’s Australian striker Sam Kerr, just as she did for the Ballon d’Or.

    The 27-year-old midfielder enjoyed an exceptional 2020-2021 season with Barcelona when she led the Catalans to the Spanish league and cup double as well as the Champions League.

    Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy and Christiane Endler of Lyon won the goalkeeping awards.

    Chelsea picked up both coaching awards through Thomas Tuchel and Emma Hayes.

    Erik Lamela, now of Sevilla, won the best goal award for his trick rabona shot for Spurs in the North London derby.

    The medical staff and players of Denmark, who had to deal with Christian Eriksen’s collapse on the field at the Euro won the “fair-play” award.

  • Full list of winners from UEFA Best Awards

    Full list of winners from UEFA Best Awards

    The UEFA Best Awards was on Thursday evening held in Geneva, Switzerland.

    Robert Lewandowski, Manuel Neuer and Sara Bouhaddi are some of the winners who emerged at the event.

    Lewandowski beat Kevin De Bruyne and Manuel Neuer to win the men’s prize.

    Pernille Harder won the women’s award.

    Here is a full list of UEFA Best Awards

    Best Men’s player: Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

    Best Women’s player: Pernille Harder (Chelsea)

    Best Men’s Coach: Hansi Flick (Bayern Munich)

    Best Women’s coach: Jean-Luc Vasseur (Lyon)

    Best Women’s goalkeeper: Sarah Bouhaddi (Lyon)

    Best Men’s Best Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)

    Best Men’s defender: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)

    Best Men’s midfielder: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

    Best Men’s forward: Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)