Lewandowski Out at Least Four Weeks as Flick Defends Striker and Targets Raphinha for El Clásico

Overview

• Hansi Flick reiterated that Robert Lewandowski faces a minimum four-week absence after a hamstring tear suffered on international duty.
• Flick backed the 37-year-old’s professionalism, saying no player cares for his body more and noting his fitness at his age is comparable only to Cristiano Ronaldo.
• The manager said Lewandowski told him he did not feel pain during the match, aligning with Poland staff accounts after the striker played on versus Lithuania.
• Raphinha’s recovery is progressing as planned, with Barcelona aiming to include him in the squad for next weekend’s El Clásico at the Santiago Bernabéu.
• Barcelona remain short-handed with injuries to Lewandowski, Raphinha, Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, Gavi, Joan García and Marc-André ter Stegen, while recent returnees Lamine Yamal and Fermín López will be managed carefully.