Decoding Lewandowski’s Post-World Cup Goal Drought: A Statistical Analysis

Football strategist Albert Blaya Sensat delves into the intricacies of Robert Lewandowski’s recent goal-scoring struggles, pinpointing a notable shift in his performance post the 2022 World Cup.

Examining Lewandowski’s Barca statistics before and after the competition reveals a stark contrast:

Before: 13 goals in 14 games. After: 14 goals in 30 games.

A closer look at the xG (expected goals) stats during these intervals further emphasizes the narrative:

Before: 13 goals with 9.9 xG After: 14 goals with 16.04 xG

In the initial phase of his Barcelona tenure, Lewandowski exhibited an impressive offensive overperformance, surpassing expected goal metrics. This underscored his exceptional conversion rate and proficiency in scoring from challenging positions.

Post-World Cup, the expectation was for Lewy to maintain a robust goal-scoring record based on these metrics alone. However, the issue extends beyond individual statistics.

An exploration of Lewandowski’s shot locations pre- and post-World Cup paints a revealing picture. Prior to the competition, the majority of his shots were within the box and in close proximity to the opposition goal. Post-World Cup, there’s a noticeable shift, with fewer shots taken in the goal area and an increase in the average distance between the shot and the goal.

The article dissects the nuanced elements contributing to Lewandowski’s goal drought, blending statistical analysis with on-field dynamics.