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Atletico de Madrid v FC Barcelona - La Liga EA SportsGetty Images Sport
Peter McVitie

'Offensive style has disappeared' - Barcelona star Robert Lewandowski claims La Liga referees are letting 'dirty' football thrive

R. Lewandowski
Barcelona
LaLiga

Robert Lewandowski believes Barcelona are being hindered by La Liga referees allowing teams to play "dirty" against them.

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✅ Streams all 380 LaLiga fixtures throughout the season in both English and Spanish, including every El Clásico fixture.

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Ultimate Sports Bundle
New Fubo Logo

Fubo

✅ Carries ESPN Deportes, which broadcasts over 200 select LaLiga matches per season with traditional linear presentation and studio coverage.

✅ Includes local ABC stations and main ESPN channels for the high-profile marquee matches that are simulcast over traditional television.

✅ Allows you to record matches with unlimited Cloud DVR storage and stream up to four channels simultaneously on compatible TV devices.

Monthly from$32.99
Cable Replacement
DirecTV

DirecTV

✅ Carries local ABC stations and the main ESPN linear networks for marquee, nationally televised LaLiga fixtures without requiring an antenna.

✅ Offers ESPN Deportes either via the dedicated Spanish-first tiers (such as Óptimo Más) or as an add-on, giving you live TV commentary and dedicated studio coverage.

✅ Includes unlimited Cloud DVR storage and allows simultaneous streaming on unlimited compatible devices connected to your home network.

Monthly from$74.99
Total Coverage
espn+ logo

ESPN+

✅ Streams all 380 LaLiga fixtures throughout the season in both English and Spanish, including every El Clásico fixture.

✅ Provides full match replays, extended highlights, and Spanish football studio shows (such as LaLiga Confidential and ESPN FC) accessible whenever you want.

✅ Bundles Spanish top-flight football alongside extensive European and domestic action, including the German Bundesliga, Copa del Rey, and FA Cup.

Monthly from$11.99
Ultimate Sports Bundle
New Fubo Logo

Fubo

✅ Carries ESPN Deportes, which broadcasts over 200 select LaLiga matches per season with traditional linear presentation and studio coverage.

✅ Includes local ABC stations and main ESPN channels for the high-profile marquee matches that are simulcast over traditional television.

✅ Allows you to record matches with unlimited Cloud DVR storage and stream up to four channels simultaneously on compatible TV devices.

Monthly from$32.99

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

  • Lewandowski says La Liga losing attacking style
  • Argues referees allow 'excessive' tackles
  • Barca looking to beat Madrid to league title
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Barca sit top of La Liga, leading fierce rivals Real Madrid due to their head-to-head record, and are aiming to win back the title this season, but the Polish striker feels their job has been made more difficult due to the "excessive" challenges their opponents are allowed to commit.

  • FC Barcelona v SL Benfica - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second LegGetty Images Sport

    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Lewandowski also believes Spanish football is going through a transformation, with more defensive football becoming popular in a league once famous for prizing technique and an attacking style.

  • WHAT LEWANDOWSKI SAID

    "I understand that teams try to hinder us in some way, but sometimes referees allow it too," he told Barca One. "They always tell us there are limits, but they use them in strange ways; you never fully understand where those limits are. I think they should promote more attacking football. Sometimes referees allow us to play not so much in a harsh way, but in a more dirty way. Those fouls that are grabbing... If someone plays hard, it's acceptable, but if they grab you, stop you, or throw you to the ground, it's a bit excessive in my opinion."

    Taking aim at the change in style, Lewandowski added: "I expected to find a more technical league, but after a few games, even a few months, I realized it couldn't be compared to years past. Now there are many teams that play very defensively, that try to commit fouls, disrupt players, and that attacking style of play has disappeared a bit. Before, a lot of goals were scored, not just by the big teams, but in general. I've noticed that La Liga has become more physical."

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    WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

    Despite his trouble with the physicality of other teams, Lewandowski has netted an impressive 22 goals in 26 appearances in the league this season, making him the division's top scorer. He will hope to improve on that record when they take on Osasuna next week.

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BAR

LaLiga

31 Oct 2026

ALA

ALA