Robert Lewandowski has been backed by his teammate to score in his next outing after failing to notch on his return to Bayern Munich.
The Pole achieved an exit from the German giants in the summer and has sought a new challenge with Barcelona. He was prolific in Bavaria and has begun impressively at the Nou Camp, scoring nine times in seven games, but was on the losing side as his current team and his former one squared off on Tuesday night.
Lewandowski squandered opportunities in the first-half as Bayern scored goals through Lucas Hernandez and Leroy Sane to pick up the three points. Jules Kounde, another of Barcelona's summer signings, has backed his teammate to produce the goods next time out following his frustrating night.
He said: "Next time, Lewandowski will score the chances he missed today. We competed very well. It's about details. What we lacked are goals. We got a little lost in the corner, and conceded a second goal shortly after."
Lewandowski was quick to leave the stadium on Tuesday night after the defeat and his only words to reports were - "it wasn’t that easy". The Pole was applauded by the crowd upon his return having scored 344 times for the club during his eight seasons.
Barcelona boss Xavi bemoaned his side's defeat, insisting they were the better side but couldn't turn their dominance into goals as they suffered the first defeat of their European campaign which leaves them locked in a battle with Inter Milan for progression from the group stages.
He said: "I think we were better in many ways, we matched them physically, we dominated the ball. But you can’t let them off that much. The feeling is that you dominate, but you lose. Learning is hard. I’m angry. Angry and proud too. We were better, but this is about winning. They are already built [as a team] and we’re in the process. We have to improve.
"The result is bad. The process is very good. You have to minimise errors. We failed a lot, there was a lack of effectiveness. The game was very good, but I’m upset, it was an opportunity to win in this place once and for all. I don’t like losing and we didn’t deserve it. I think we were better. I’m trying to be honest, we dominated and subdued them."
Barcelona will host Bayern in the return fixture late in October with Lewandowski no doubt eyeing a more successful outing next time they square off. Their next domestic assignment in a clash with Elche.
