"I'm getting better at assists, but goals are the most important thing for me"

Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski, whose performances have improved markedly in recent games, said after last Christmas he knew what he needed to improve and why.

"The time I spent at Christmas with the family gave me a lot of answers to the questions that arose last year. I knew what I needed to improve, what didn't work and why it happened. I knew I had to change my training a bit, work more individually, do things that made me feel better. Not just me, but the whole team benefits from it," he said.

Speaking at a press conference at Poland's training camp as they take on Estonia in Warsaw in the semi-final of the European Championship qualifying play-off, he said he does not look at Sunday's Atletico Madrid game as his best match of the season. Lewandowski was key to the win for Xavi Hernandez's side with a goal and two assists. In total, he has 13 goals and seven assists in the current league campaign.

"The important thing is that we played well and won. I realise that my number of assists is increasing, but I don't hide the fact that goals are the most important thing for me. We are entering a key moment of the season, the Champions League is starting again and we have to show our best version. After many difficult moments we feel good to have progressed," he said.

"When you have young players, sometimes every month is worth its weight in gold. I hope that after the break the injured players will come back and we will be stronger," said the Barcelona striker, who said he is focused on these two matches with the national team. Should Poland beat Estonia, they will face the winner of the Wales-Finland match in the final.

"Whatever happens you have to win the first game, play the final and advance to the tournament," said Lewandowski, who added that he is "full of optimism and conviction" that the Polish national team will qualify for the European Championship. 

He also commented that his relationship with coach Michal Probierz is good. "I have always said that I am a person who has my own opinion. Anyway, if the coach has his own vision, I have to accept it and support him so that we move forward together in one direction," he said.