Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski could make his return to action wearing a protective mask for the La Liga clash against Athletic Bilbao. The Polish forward trained with the facial guard after suffering an eye injury, a fact he confirmed himself, and now awaits the decision of manager Hansi Flick.
Medical analysis showed a fracture in the internal orbital wall of his left eye, an injury sustained in the match against Villarreal. Lewandowski has scored 18 goals in 21 league appearances this season, making him a key part of Barcelona's attack. His potential return comes as Athletic Bilbao are in inconsistent form, having drawn 1-1 with Elche last weekend thanks to an Iñaki Williams goal, and recording two wins, one draw, and two losses in their last five outings.
A precedent in the dressing room
Barcelona have previous experience with such protective gear. Defender Eric García wore a similar mask for several months after breaking his nose last November. His adaptation and full recovery process was lengthy, a factor the Catalan club's medical staff will consider when assessing Lewandowski's readiness.
The context of the visit
For Athletic, the possible presence of the Polish striker adds an extra layer of difficulty to an always-special fixture. Ernesto Valverde's side approaches the game following a 3-0 thrashing of Atlético Madrid and a 2-0 defeat at the Camp Nou in late August. Robert Navarro, with two goals in four appearances, is the top scorer this season for the Lions, who are seeking points to climb the standings.
The question over Lewandowski's inclusion will be answered in the hours before kick-off at San Mamés. Meanwhile, the 37-year-old forward is also considering his future, weighing up the possibility of staying at Barça or making a move to Major League Soccer at the end of the campaign. The match is scheduled for the next round of La Liga fixtures.
The report in full is at beIN SPORTS
