With Robert Lewandowski's return, this penalty mess is over

Robert Lewandowski's return is very close and with his return will come an end to the umpteenth mess that has affected FC Barcelona, this one regarding who is in charge of taking penalties in his absence. The Polish striker is the first penalty taker without discussion. He took and missed one against Almeria in La Liga and scored the one against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

With his return, images like those seen yesterday against Valencia will come to an end. Ansu Fati and Ferran were arguing over who should take the penalty for Guillamón's handball. In theory, the Valencia striker was the one chosen by the coaches in the match plan (so said Xavi and also Raphinha) but Ansu asked him for the ball because he wanted to take it. Ferran Torres did not give in and ended up shooting and missing it (it hit the post). Despite the previous discussion, the Barça No 10 quickly went to console him for the mistake and the controversy ended there.

Although Ferran Torres was chosen to take the penalty yesterday, he did not take one in the shootout of the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Betis. In that match they were taken (and scored) by Lewandowski, Kessie (who was the Milan specialist), Ansu and Pedri.

Despite the fact that there is a number one and specialists in the squad, sometimes they decide, out of feeling, for the good of the group or to help a team-mate, to give up the shot. It has happened on many occasions. Messi did it with Ibrahimovic, Luis Suárez and Neymar, for example. In any case, on future occasions, we must avoid images like yesterday's because it was unnecessary and it doesn't do the team any good, even if it all remains anecdotal at the end of the season.