Playing under Pep prepared me for Barca move - Lewandowski
FT Desk
- 10 Aug 2022 11:55 CDT
- 3 min read
Robert Lewandowski believes that playing under Pep Guardiola was perfect preparation for his future move to Barcelona.
The forward caused a stir in Bavaria when he declared his intentions to leave with immediate effect towards the end of the 2021-22 season.
He then agreed terms with Barca, sealing a move worth a reported €50 million, part of an ambitious summer of spending at Camp Nou financed by the exercising of several financial levers.
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Lewandowski brings with him an impeccable goalscoring pedigree, having smashed no fewer than 344 goals in 375 games for Bayern in his eight seasons at the club.
Barca will also be encouraged by his ability to link up with his team-mates, as he showcased in Sunday's Gamper Trophy rout of Pumas by forming a lethal partnership with youngster Pedri which helped tear apart the Mexicans' defence.
Pep influence vital for Lewandowski
Manchester City boss Guardiola had Lewandowski under his wing for three seasons at Bayern, and while the Poland star did not consult Pep over his move he does credit the coach for giving him the tools necessary to thrive at Camp Nou.
“Guardiola's philosophy and his style of caring for and managing the team I think basically was Barca at Bayern Munich,” he said.
“Xavi is very similar to Guardiola. They were both '6', they worked together. They think football in the same way. With that memory in mind, Barca was the only option for me and it was a great preparation when I was there.
"I didn't talk to Guardiola before signing. But when I was with him at Bayern it was like a great preparation to get to Barca one day. All the staff were Spanish, there were eight Spanish players. During that period I had a very good relationship with Thiago and Javi Martinez. Both of them congratulated me when I signed for Barca.
"I've always wanted to play in La Liga, live in Spain, see what life is like here. 12 years in Germany is a long time. I achieved everything there. I didn't want to stand in front of the mirror in 12 years and say to myself: 'Why haven't you tried?’ There would be a lot of unanswered questions.”
