Torres or Lewandowski? Barca's Clasico dilemma tilts in Torres' favor
24 October 2025
El Clasico Predicament: Torres vs Lewandowski
Barcelona's German coach Hans Flick faces a selection dilemma ahead of the El Clasico with Real Madrid at the Bernabéu, aiming to secure a win and three crucial points in the La Liga title race this season. The trip to Madrid comes as Barca push to close the gap and keep pressure on their arch-rivals.
Torres Favored? The Case for the Start
All signs point to Ferran Torres being named the starting striker over Poland's Robert Lewandowski, who is returning from international duty with a left thigh strain and a club that has publicly questioned how his injury was handled.
Barça have voiced their displeasure with Lewandowski's return and with the Polish federation after he picked up the issue and missed club training time. They argue the player could have left the international fixture early to protect himself, a decision that could cost him playing time soon.
Clasico Form, The Numbers Behind the Debate
Under Flick, Torres has been a regular at the top of the attack in La Liga, with 7 starts in the league this season and 4 goals, plus a further 2 appearances in Europe. Lewandowski has contributed 4 goals in La Liga in nine appearances across all competitions, but has yet to score in Europe this term.
Torres made a name for himself in notable Clasicos last season, including a standout performance in the cup final where he assisted three of Barça's four goals, helping the team lift the trophy. Those displays, along with his current form, leave him as the likeliest candidate to lead the line if fully fit.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, endured a difficult stretch in late 2024-25 Clasicos: Barca won 4-0 in La Liga, followed by a 5-2 victory in the Spanish Super Cup, and later a dramatic Copa del Rey final where Torres's late involvement swung the tie in Barça's favor. In the league clash in the 35th round, Barca again recovered from a deficit to triumph 4-3, reinforcing the sense that the Clasico could tilt Barca's way again this season.
