Robert Lewandowski Ruled Out of Copa del Rey Clash After Villarreal Collision

FC Barcelona has confirmed a devastating blow ahead of their crucial Copa del Rey semi-final second leg, as veteran striker Robert Lewandowski has been officially ruled out. The 37-year-old Polish international suffered a fracture to his left eye socket during the closing stages of Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Villarreal CF. The injury occurred in the 88th minute following a heavy collision with the shoulder of defender Pau Navarro. Despite the visible discomfort and impaired vision, Lewandowski remarkably remained on the pitch to score the team's fourth goal in stoppage time before undergoing tests on Sunday morning that confirmed the bone break.

The timing of the injury creates a tactical nightmare for manager Hansi Flick, who must overturn a massive 4-0 aggregate deficit against Diego Simeone’s Atlético de Madrid. With Lewandowski sidelined, the goal-scoring burden shifts heavily to Ferran Torres, who is expected to lead the line alongside Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. The absence of the Polish marksman adds to a growing list of unavailable stars for the Tuesday night showdown at the Spotify Camp Nou, including the injured Frenkie de Jong and the suspended Eric García.

While the club has not provided a definitive return date, medical experts suggest that Lewandowski could potentially return to action sooner if fitted with a protective carbon-fiber mask, a move the player famously utilized during his time at FC Bayern Munich. For now, the focus remains on Tuesday’s "Mission Remontada," where Barcelona will need to find four goals against a resolute Atlético defense without their most experienced clinical finisher. The loss of his leadership and presence in the box is a significant hurdle for Flick, who had hoped to use the veteran's experience to destabilize Simeone’s defensive structure.