According to reports, last night’s El Clásico in La Liga left behind many lessons, images, memories, details, and observations. However, it once again showed that Hans-Dieter Flick does not hesitate when it comes to making decisions and prioritizing collective interests—even if it affects the personal interests of key players like Robert Lewandowski.

The Polish striker is fighting for his second Pichichi Trophy in this final stretch of the season. Before El Clásico, he led the scoring charts with 25 goals, but Mbappé’s hat-trick at Montjuïc allowed the French player to overtake him with 27 goals. The former Bayern Munich player did not even step onto the pitch at the Olympic Stadium.

Flick made all five of his substitutions, but these changes were due to injuries, fatigue, or tactical decisions to secure victory against Carlo Ancelotti’s team—a victory that practically sealed the La Liga title. With three games remaining, Barcelona is seven points ahead of Real Madrid.

The German coach, who aims to lift his third trophy in his first year at Barcelona after winning the Super Cup and Copa del Rey, sent players like Christensen (replacing Cubarsí, who felt discomfort), Alejandro Baldé (replacing Gerard Martín), Fermín López (replacing Dani Olmo), Héctor Fort (replacing Eric García), and Gavi (replacing Ferran Torres) onto the field. However, Lewandowski did not play and watched from the bench as Mbappé took the lead in the Pichichi race.

Flick had announced in Saturday’s press conference that Lewandowski would not be in the starting lineup. Just before the match against Inter in Milan, medical tests revealed a hamstring injury in Lewandowski’s left leg. He played for half an hour in that match, coming on in the 91st minute to replace Ferran Torres, and the game went into extra time. He entered to secure the victory that sent the team to the Champions League final. Despite just recovering from injury, he played. But in El Clásico, he did not step onto the pitch. Tactical and physical priorities led Flick and his staff to choose other players, even though they knew how dangerous Lewandowski could be.

Collective interests—securing the La Liga title—came first. Additionally, Flick did not want to risk playing his striker, who was not yet fully recovered.

Lewandowski’s Understanding

Lewandowski understood the coach’s decision regarding substitutions and celebrated Barcelona’s victory over Real Madrid with enthusiasm. He has three games left to overtake Mbappé, but in any case, he prioritizes team titles over individual awards.