An anticipated return could change the face of Barcelona… and tension builds in the dressing room from Yamal and Raphinha!

Barcelona enters the international break with more questions than answers, but also with a growing sense of hope. Under Hansi Flick, the team has shown flashes of brilliance, yet there remains something incomplete about their attacking structure. Supporters, pundits, and even the players themselves agree that a single return could transform the Catalan side and set the tone for the rest of the season.

The Blaugrana have begun the 2025/26 La Liga campaign with promise, but the absence of a familiar leader in the forward line has been deeply felt. Lamine Yamal and Raphinha have both impressed with moments of individual quality, but the system looks unbalanced without its focal point. Flick’s tactical ideas are in place, but the execution has lacked the finishing edge and composure that defined Barcelona’s treble-winning run last season.

That missing figure is none other than Robert Lewandowski. The Polish striker has not featured in the opening matches due to a minor muscle injury, but his name continues to dominate conversations inside and outside the club. For many, his return is not just awaited—it is desperately needed.

Barcelona’s dressing room reflects that tension. Yamal and Raphinha, despite their excellent form, appear unsettled by the responsibility of shouldering the attack alone. Sources close to the team suggest both players privately voiced their eagerness to have Lewandowski back in the lineup. With him on the pitch, they feel liberated to express themselves, confident that his movement and finishing instincts will absorb much of the defensive pressure.

Lewandowski’s influence goes far beyond goals. He acts as a reference point, the advanced pivot around which Barcelona’s attacks are built. His ability to occupy defenders, link play, and create space was the silent factor that gave Yamal and Raphinha the freedom to shine at the back end of last season. Without him, Flick has experimented with Ferran Torres in the false nine role, but while Torres has worked hard, he cannot replicate the security Lewandowski provides inside the penalty area.

This imbalance has been evident in Barcelona’s recent results. Flick’s men have dominated possession and generated chances, but the lack of a true striker has often left them vulnerable to counterattacks and unable to finish games with authority. The coach himself is acutely aware of this, and according to insiders, he views Lewandowski’s comeback as a potential turning point not just in form, but in mentality.

Flick has insisted that Lewandowski’s recovery be handled with caution. The German coach does not want to rush him back prematurely, especially with a demanding September ahead. The Champions League returns, La Liga fixtures pile up, and Barcelona cannot afford another injury setback for their talisman. Behind the scenes, the medical team is ensuring that when Lewandowski does return, he will be 100% fit and ready to reclaim his role as the centerpiece of the attack.

Interestingly, this anticipation has created a different type of pressure inside the squad. While Yamal and Raphinha are eager for Lewandowski’s return, there is also the subtle undercurrent of competition. Both wingers have enjoyed being in the spotlight, carrying the attack in his absence. With the striker’s comeback, they may need to adjust their games once again, balancing their hunger for goals with the discipline of playing alongside a true number nine. Flick must manage this carefully to prevent any friction from spilling over into the dressing room.

Yet for the fans, the bigger picture matters most. They remember the unstoppable trio from last season, when Lewandowski’s intelligence combined with the youthful flair of Yamal and the explosiveness of Raphinha to devastating effect. That chemistry delivered goals, points, and trophies. The hope is that with his return, the spark will reignite and Barcelona will regain the fluidity that has been missing in the opening matches.

Beyond the technical and tactical considerations, there is also a psychological dimension. Lewandowski is not only a leader on the pitch but also a calming influence in tense moments. His presence provides assurance, both to teammates and to supporters watching from the stands. With him, Barcelona feel more complete, more dangerous, and more confident in their ambitions of defending their titles and challenging for European glory.

The countdown has now begun. Training sessions may be missing his touch, but the anticipation grows with every passing day. Flick’s challenge is to reintegrate Lewandowski smoothly, ensuring that the balance between the veterans and the rising stars remains intact. If he succeeds, Barcelona could once again look like the unstoppable force that swept aside opponents last season.

Will Robert Lewandowski’s return truly change the face of Barcelona? Many inside the Camp Nou believe so. And as the international break winds down, all eyes will be fixed on the Polish striker—whose comeback could define the destiny of Flick’s first full season in charge.