Football

Barcelona, the current La Liga leaders, are in scintillating form, having scored 55 goals in 16 matches across all competitions. They visit Real Sociedad on Sunday, brimming with confidence after scoring three or more goals in each of their last seven outings.Despite Real Sociedad's historical resilience against Barcelona in San Sebastian, Hansi Flick's team has been unstoppable since September. Their only league defeat came six weeks ago at Osasuna, but they have since thrashed Real Madrid 4-0 and Bayern Munich 4-1 in Europe."The results speak for themselves, and it's great to see," said Flick, whose team holds a nine-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.Robert Lewandowski, the veteran Polish striker, has been a key factor in Barcelona's resurgence under his former Bayern Munich coach. After struggling last season, the 36-year-old has been unstoppable this season, scoring 19 goals in 16 games.Lewandowski's superb support comes from Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, who have been tearing apart opponents. Dani Olmo, Barcelona's summer signing, is also expected to start as he continues his recovery from injury.Real Sociedad, currently 11th in La Liga, are improving under Imanol Alguacil. The coach believes his team's results will improve after poor finishing cost them points earlier in the campaign.Real Madrid, in second place, face Osasuna on Saturday, hoping to reduce Barcelona's lead to six points.

Barcelona continued their impressive form in the Champions League with a dominant 5-2 victory over Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday. Robert Lewandowski led the charge with a brace, taking his career tally in the competition to 99 goals.The Catalan giants took the lead in the 13th minute through Inigo Martinez's header from Raphinha's free-kick. However, Red Star equalized in the 27th minute when Silas capitalized on a defensive lapse.Barcelona regained the lead just before halftime when Lewandowski pounced on the rebound after Raphinha's shot hit the post. The Polish striker doubled his tally in the 53rd minute, finishing from close range after Jules Kounde's cross.Raphinha extended Barcelona's lead to 4-1 with a low drive from the edge of the box. Substitute Fermin Lopez added the fifth goal in the 82nd minute, assisted by Kounde.Despite Milson's consolation goal for Red Star, Barcelona cruised to a comfortable victory. The win keeps them in contention for the top spot in their Champions League group, having previously thrashed Bayern Munich 4-1.Barcelona's attacking prowess has been on full display in recent weeks, with the team scoring at least three goals in each of their last seven matches across all competitions. Lewandowski has been a key figure in this run, scoring 19 goals in 16 appearances this season.

Barcelona vs Espanyol: La Liga Derby Returns with High StakesThe highly anticipated Catalan derby between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol is set to ignite the top flight of Spanish football, La Liga. Barcelona, riding high on a resounding 4-0 El Clasico victory over Real Madrid, will face off against Espanyol, who are precariously perched just above the relegation zone.Barcelona's attacking trio of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Lamine Yamal have been in scintillating form, boasting the most goal contributions in La Liga 2024/25. Their dominance has propelled Barcelona to a commanding six-point lead at the summit of the standings.In contrast, Espanyol find themselves in a precarious position, hovering one point above the relegation zone. They will be desperate to secure a positive result against their illustrious rivals to avoid being dragged into the relegation battle.Match Details:* Date: Sunday, November 3 (IST)* Venue: Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona* Time: 8:45 PM IST* Live Streaming: GXR World app and websiteKey Players to Watch:* Barcelona: Robert Lewandowski (striker), Raphinha (winger), Lamine Yamal (midfielder)* Espanyol: Joselu (striker), Sergi Darder (midfielder), Leandro Cabrera (defender)Match Preview:Barcelona will be the overwhelming favorites in this derby clash, given their superior form and quality. However, Espanyol have a history of upsetting their more illustrious neighbors and will be determined to make a statement.Espanyol's defense, led by Leandro Cabrera, will have their work cut out for them against Barcelona's potent attack. The visitors will need to be disciplined and organized to contain the likes of Lewandowski and Raphinha.Barcelona, on the other hand, will be looking to continue their impressive run of form. They will be confident of securing a victory that would further extend their lead at the top of the table.

Barcelona's relentless attacking prowess was on full display as they cruised to a resounding 5-1 victory over Sevilla at Camp Nou on Sunday. The triumph extends their lead at the summit of La Liga to three points ahead of arch-rivals Real Madrid, setting the stage for an enthralling Clasico next weekend.Robert Lewandowski, the Polish marksman, continued his prolific form, netting twice to take his tally to 12 goals in just 10 La Liga appearances. The veteran striker's goals were complemented by a brace from Pablo Torre, who came off the bench to add to Sevilla's misery. Pedri Gonzalez also got on the scoresheet with a well-taken effort from the edge of the box.Barcelona's dominance was evident from the outset, with Dani Olmo, Fermin Lopez, and Gavi all returning from injury to bolster their bench. Ansu Fati made his first start of the season, while Raphinha slotted into a central attacking midfield role.The Catalans took the lead from the penalty spot after Raphinha was brought down in the box. Lewandowski coolly converted the spot-kick, sending Sevilla goalkeeper Orjan Nyland the wrong way. Pedri doubled the advantage shortly after, capitalizing on a clever assist from Lamine Yamal.Lewandowski's second goal came just before the break, as he guided Raphinha's drive into the net with a deft flick. Sevilla's woes were compounded by the loss of winger Chidera Ejuke to injury.Barcelona continued to dominate in the second half, with Yamal producing an audacious shot from distance that Nyland somehow managed to save. Torre made it 4-0 with a deflected effort, before Gavi made his long-awaited return as a substitute, receiving a rapturous reception from the home crowd.Sevilla managed to pull one back through Stanis Idumbo, but Torre sealed the victory with a fortunate free-kick that crept in at the far post. The result leaves Sevilla languishing in 13th place, while Barcelona head into the Clasico with renewed confidence and a three-point cushion at the top of the table.

Robert Lewandowski's clinical finish in the 75th minute secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory for Barcelona over Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Saturday. The Polish striker, despite missing several earlier chances, remained composed to slot home the winner and earn Barcelona their second consecutive league win under new coach Hansi Flick.Barcelona took the lead in the first half through a deflected effort from teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. However, Athletic Bilbao equalized from the penalty spot before halftime, with Oihan Sancet converting after Pau Cubarsi's clumsy foul on Alejandro Berenguer.Lewandowski had a frustrating first half, hitting the woodwork twice. But he made amends in the second half, firing home from close range after Raphinha's cross was parried into his path.Barcelona dominated possession and created numerous chances throughout the match. Pedri, making his first start after injury, impressed in midfield alongside Yamal. Raphinha also played a key role, providing the assist for Lewandowski's winner.Athletic Bilbao, despite their spirited performance, were unable to find an equalizer. They remain with just one point from their first two matches.Flick praised Lewandowski's resilience and Barcelona's overall performance. "Especially in the first half, he could have scored one or two goals... but in the end, this is a goal getter, a striker, who scores goals," Flick said. "The second goal was the winner, three points, perfect."Despite the absence of new signing Dani Olmo due to Barcelona's financial difficulties, Flick remains optimistic about his team's prospects. "These are things we have to accept because we cannot change it," he said. "We knew when we signed for Barca (the financial situation) is not easy, (so I) don't think about that. Today we wanted three points and we got it."

Robert Lewandowski's brace propelled Barcelona to a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Valencia in their La Liga season opener at the Mestalla Stadium. Despite missing key players, including Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, and Ronald Araujo, Hansi Flick's side displayed resilience and determination to secure three points.The match started slowly, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances. However, Valencia took the lead just before halftime when Hugo Duro nodded home Diego Lopez's cross. Barcelona responded swiftly, with Lewandowski equalizing in stoppage time after a cross from Alejandro Balde.In the second half, Barcelona took control of the game. Lewandowski converted a penalty early on after Raphinha was fouled in the area. Valencia struggled to create chances, and Barcelona held on comfortably for the win.Lewandowski, who turns 36 next week, was delighted with his performance and the team's result. "My aim is always to score goals," he said. "It's very important for me to get goals for confidence."Flick praised his team's second-half display, particularly the performances of the young players. "The second half was much better than the first half," he said. "We came back at the end of the first half and in the second half, we did much better."Barcelona's victory is a positive start to their La Liga campaign. They will face Copa del Rey winners Athletic Bilbao in their next league match next Saturday.

Euro 2024 has witnessed thrilling football and passionate fans, but the tournament has been marked by the underperformance of some of Europe's biggest stars.Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal's talisman, has yet to score in three appearances, while Kylian Mbappe, arguably the world's best player, has only managed a penalty for France. Robert Lewandowski, Poland's star striker, has been hampered by injury and has been ineffective when on the pitch.England's Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane have also failed to live up to expectations, despite their impressive performances for their clubs this season. Antoine Griezmann of France and Phil Foden of England have also struggled to make an impact.Romelu Lukaku, Belgium's all-time top scorer, has yet to find the net, while Luka Modric, Croatia's veteran midfielder, has been inconsistent.Despite the underperformance of some stars, there have been some surprising performers. N'Golo Kante has been key for France, while Jamal Musiala has been Germany's leading light. Niclas Fullkrug has scored twice for Germany, and Ivan Schranz and Razvan Marin have also impressed.Cody Gakpo of the Netherlands has scored twice, but his team's performance has been disappointing. Georgia's Georges Mikautadze is the tournament's top scorer with three goals.Spain has been the most impressive team so far, qualifying top of Group B with a game to spare. Fabian Ruiz and Marc Cucurella have been unlikely key players for the Spaniards.With 15 matches still to play, fans are eagerly awaiting the tournament's star names to join the party and light up Euro 2024.

Poland vs Austria: Lewandowski's Return Boosts Poland's Euro 2024 HopesPoland will be hoping to reignite their Euro 2024 campaign when they face Austria in a crucial Group D clash on Friday, June 21. Both teams suffered narrow defeats in their opening matches, leaving them in need of a positive result to keep their qualification hopes alive.Poland's hopes have been boosted by the potential return of star striker Robert Lewandowski, who missed the opening game against the Netherlands due to a shoulder injury. Lewandowski's presence would provide a significant attacking threat for Poland, who struggled to create chances in his absence.Austria, meanwhile, will be confident of causing an upset after holding world champions France for large parts of their opening game. However, they will need to be more clinical in front of goal, having failed to convert several promising opportunities against France.The match will be played at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, with kick-off scheduled for 9:30 PM IST. It will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Network and streamed live on the SonyLiv app and website.Key Details:* Date: Friday, June 21 (IST)* Venue: Olympiastadion, Berlin* Kick-off: 9:30 PM IST* TV Channels: Sony Sports Network* Live Streaming: SonyLiv app and website

Poland's Euro 2024 preparations have been marred by injuries, with talismanic striker Robert Lewandowski and strike partner Karol Swiderski both forced off in their final warm-up match against Turkey.Lewandowski, who has scored 82 goals in 149 appearances for his country, limped off after just 32 minutes with an unspecified injury. Swiderski had already left the field after hurting his right ankle while celebrating his goal that gave Poland an early lead.The injuries add to Poland's woes, as they have already lost Juventus striker Arkadiusz Milik to a knee injury. Milik underwent surgery on Monday and is expected to miss the tournament.Poland, who kick off their Euro campaign against the Netherlands on June 16, are now facing a striker crisis. Lewandowski, who is 35, would have been appearing in his fourth European Championship.Turkey, who are in Group F, also suffered an injury blow as defender Merih Demiral was forced off with a hamstring problem.Despite the injuries, Poland managed to secure a 2-1 victory over Turkey in Warsaw. Nicola Zalewski scored the winning goal in added time after Baris Yilmaz had leveled for Turkey in the 77th minute.Poland will be hoping that Lewandowski and Swiderski can recover in time for the tournament, but their absence would be a major blow to their chances of success.