Barcelona will be hoping to end a slight dip in form when they take on arch rivals Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey semifinals on Thursday night.
Xavi's side have lost their past two games: a Europa League playoff against Manchester United, and a La Liga clash against Almeria.
The Catalans have otherwise enjoyed a strong 2022/23 season, winning the Supercopa de Espana and sitting seven points clear at the top of the Spanish top flight.
Real Madrid will be desperate to end Barca's quest for a trophy treble in the Copa del Rey and the visitors will be without key striker Robert Lewandowski for the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
MORE: Barcelona fixtures schedule in 2023
Why isn't Robert Lewandowski playing against Real Madrid?
After playing the full 90 minutes against Almeria on Sunday, Lewandowski will not take the pitch against Real Madrid on March 2.
The former Bayern Munich star has picked up a hamstring strain with Barcelona confirming his issue on Monday.
"Robert Lewandowski has strained the biceps femoris in his left hamstring. The Polish striker is unavailable until the problem clears up," a club statement read.
ESPN confirmed midweek that the injury would keep Lewandowski out of the upcoming Clasico and he may miss three games in total with a potential return date of March 19.
Barcelona are short on out-and-out strikers at the moment, with Ansu Fati looming as Lewandowski's most likely replacement up front.
MEDICAL NEWS | First team player Robert Lewandowski has a left hamstring strain. He is out and his recovery will determine his availability. pic.twitter.com/AmxWJ38B0O
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 27, 2023
How many goals has Lewandowksi scored for Barcelona?
Lewandowski's first season at Barcelona since leaving Bayern Munich has been quite successful in front of goal to date.
The 34-year-old scored in just his second competitive game for the club and is currently the top goal scorer in La Liga with 15 strikes to his name.
The forward has scored in every competition he's played in for Barca to date but will struggle to rival the 50 goals he scored in all competitions last season for Bayern Munich.
Lewandowski Barcelona stats 2022/23*
| Games | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| 31 | 25 | 6 |
*Correct as of March 1, 2023
Gavi.
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 17, 2023
Lewandowski.
End of story. pic.twitter.com/RBDONuiHzu
Robert Lewandowski vs Real Madrid goals, stats, record
Lewandowski's absence for Barcelona in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal is extra painful considering his strong track record against Real Madrid.
The striker has played 10 competitive games against Los Blancos with three different clubs and scored seven goals.
He famously scored four times against Madrid for Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their 2012/13 Champions League semifinal.
Lewandowski also scored and assisted in his last match against the reigning European champions when Barcelona claimed a 3-1 win in the Supercopa final in January.
Robert Lewandowski vs Real Madrid
| Games | Goals | Assists | Wins | Draws | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 4 |
