'Island' Robert Lewandowski's situation more worrying

One of the players who went missing in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final was Robert Lewandowski. The Pole was in the starting line-up, but hardly had any impact on the game. After breaking a bad streak of five official matches (between Barça and Poland) without scoring, in Elche, the former Bayern player showed his greyest version against Real Madrid. 

When the team most needed a flash of brilliance or genius, he did not appear. Well-controlled at all times by Militâo and Alaba, 'Lewy' had no supply of balls - he did not manage to receive the ball in the areas where he does damage. 

The Pole needs an inch of space to create a chance, but the truth is that against Madrid he only had one more or less clear opportunity. In fact, it was the one which saw Courtois save rebound and which led to Benzema's goal on the break at stroke of half-time. A low blow at the worst possible time. 

In the second half, like most of his teammates, 'Lewy' evaporated. Barça fell into a pit that resulted in gross errors, lack of concentration and a 'highway' for Madrid to do as they pleased. 

There has been talk over the two months about the drop in Robert's performance. He still has very, very good numbers (27 goals and seven assists), but the stats after the World Cup dropped substantially. Before Qatar, he was scoring one goal per game. After the World Cup he stands at 0.56. 

Lewy has failed to score in nine of the 16 games he has played since the World Cup. Before that, he had only failed to score in eight of 19. It will be key in this final stretch of the campaign for the Pole to get back on track. And for Xavi and the team to find him again. 

Does he miss having two pure wingers on the flanks? Precedents show that he has been able to function with the four midfielders (see the Super Cup final, for example) but it is true that having two pure wingers alongside him can generate more balls crossed into the box.