Barcelona have been handed a potential Robert Lewandowski injury blow ahead of a daunting slate of upcoming fixtures, including the first Clasico of the season against Real Madrid at the end of the month.

Lewandowski began Poland’s UEFA Nations League game against Croatia on Tuesday night as a substitute, coming on with an hour played to help his country chase the game. Having trailed 3-1 at half-time, the veteran talisman eventually set up Sebastian Szymanski’s equaliser.

The explanation for Lewandowski’s reduced role national team coach Michal Probierz on Polish television before the game was that: “Robert has a slight injury.”

The Polish captain’s eventual appearance may also have come at a cost after he was seen walking with a limp as he briskly walked past reporters in the mixed zone post-game. However, the Barcelona striker also seemed to indicate that his leg was generally okay.

Even after turning 36 during the summer, Lewandowski has been back to his best this season. The former Bayern Munich star has already scored 12 goals in 11 appearances for Barcelona across La Liga and the Champions League. That included a hat-trick in his most recent outing against Alaves.

Lewandowski managed 26 goals across all competitions last season. And while still an impressive tally by most standards, it was also the first time since 2014/15 that he failed to score 30.

Barcelona’s other options up front beyond Lewandowski are limited. Ferran Torres can operate centrally but pulled up with a hamstring injury during that aforementioned victory over Alaves. Pau Victor is left as the only viable back-up ‘number nine’. The 22-year-old joined from Girona in the summer after spending last season on loan with Barca B, but he did score on his full debut in last month’s defeat to Osasuna, having started the game as a left winger.

Hansi Flick’s side are back in action on Sunday for the visit of Sevilla. Then it is Bayern Munich at home in the Champions League three days later, followed by Real Madrid on 26 October.

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