How Hansi Flick has brought the best out of prolific Barcelona superstar | OneFootball

Robert Lewandowski appeared to have lost the confidence of the management towards the end of last season and might have considered leaving the club in the summer if it was not for Xavi Hernandez’s sacking.

Hansi Flick’s appointment was perhaps the single biggest reason why he opted to continue with the Azulgrana and his season so far has been sensational.

Lewandowski has indeed been far from the level he showed in his prime, but to be the top scorer in Spain at 36 years of age is no mean feat.

Hansi Flick has truly worked his magic on him and SPORT relays the same in a recent report.

The key factor – confidence

Lewandowski’s season so far has been simply breathtaking and the numbers speak volumes of how important he is to this Barcelona side.

In just over eight months of the season, he already has 38 goals to his name and averages one every 85 minutes.

Of them, a staggering 25 have come in La Liga over just 28 games and he is firmly in the driver’s seat for the Pichichi with a three-goal margin over his nearest competitor Kylian Mbappe.

Prolific. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Flick’s management of his minutes, the understanding the manager has of his physical abilities and strengths and the faith he retains in him through thick and thin, needless to say, has worked wonders.

The German tactician then broke down the ‘process’ he has been working on with the veteran and how he was doing his best to provide an environment where Lewandowski could shine after the win over Girona.

“I don’t like to talk about footballers individually, but it’s special. When I arrived I talked to him, I wanted to know many things about what he thought, how he looked on the team, even on a personal level,” he began, sharing the close bond he shared with the star.

“It is important that the players know that the coaches believe in them. And more in the case of a nine. Even if you are a superstar, every player has to feel the confidence of the coach,” he added on how he kept Lewandowski important.

Already on his best-ever season in a Blaugrana shirt, Lewandowski’s importance will only increase as the season passes.

A lot will depend on how the manager manages his minutes so as to keep the fatigue minimal amidst the hectic schedule. If recent months are anything to go by, however, Flick has everything under control.