#la-liga

#la-liga

A recently published biography of Robert Lewandowski has ignited one of the strangest stories in recent Barcelona history. According to Sebastian Staszewski's book Lewandowski. Prawdziwy ("Lewandowski. The Real Deal"), the Polish striker was reportedly asked to stop scoring goals in the last two matches of the 2022-23 La Liga season. Barcelona had already clinched the title, and with Lewandowski sitting at 23 goals, a board member allegedly worried that reaching 25 would trigger a €2.5 million bonus payment to Bayern Munich.

I'm happy. I think I'm continuing to grow. I finished last season this way, and I'm continuing in the same vein this season. I'm very satisfied with the confidence the manager is showing in me and with the matches I'm playing and will play. There's still a long way to go. There's been some noise from outside, some doubts because of a few bad matches we've had.

Year after year, the Celta captain has proven to be the Catalan team's major weak point. The former Liverpool striker's record against Barcelona is indeed simply stunning, having scored 11 goals in 21 league matches, a statistic that doesn't even fully capture his numerous standout performances and decisive moments that have cost Barça dearly at Balaidos.

Barcelona won't be able to call upon Raphinha for Sunday's trip to Celta Vigo in La Liga as he's still not ready to return. According to Diario AS, the Brazilian is "completely ruled out" even though his recovery is going well. Barca will not rush him back, after seeing him suffer a setback before El Clasico that left Hansi Flick furious, and will now wait until after the international break.

With eight La Liga titles and 24 Copas del Rey, Athletic - who face Newcastle in the Champions League on Wednesday - are the third-most successful club in Spain in terms of domestic honours. Along with Real Madrid and Barcelona, they have never been relegated from the top division of Spanish football since its foundation in 1929.

It was an important win, hard-fought," he told Movistar. "We've struggled away from home, so I hope this is a turning point.

At one point in the summer with Garcia's contract expiring, there was real interest with Chelsea and Spurs both keen. He is a class act and has Premier League experience; he ticks a lot of boxes. However, Garcia has since become a big player under Hansi Flick, and he is not going anywhere. I am told in recent weeks, his people have confirmed that a new deal is imminent.