Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski to miss Clasico against Real Madrid with injury

Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski will miss Thursday’s Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against rivals Real Madrid after suffering a hamstring strain at the weekend.

Lewandowski picked up the problem in Barcelona’s 1-0 defeat to Almeria on Sunday and is expected to be sidelined for two weeks.

The Poland striker could sit out crucial league games against Valencia on March 5 and Athletic Bilbao on March 12, as well as this week’s cup Clasico at the Bernabeu.

But Barcelona will hope to have him back for the La Liga meeting against Carlo Ancelotti’s side at Camp Nou on March 19.

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The club confirmed Lewandowski’s injury in a statement on Monday and said his “recovery will determine his availability”.

The news is a further blow for Barca boss Xavi, who is already without Ousmane Dembele and Pedri through injury.

Barcelona’s defeat to relegation-threatened Almeria means their gap over Real — who were held to a 1-1 draw by Atletico Madrid on Saturday — has been cut to seven points.

Lewandowski has scored 25 goals in 31 appearances in all competitions so far this season.

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(Photo: Silvestre Szpylma/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

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