BAYERN’S LEWANDOWSKI IS CREAM OF THE CROP
Robert Lewandowski scored twice on his 100th Bundesliga appearance with Bayern Munich as his side thrashed Mainz. The Poland striker has scored 82 goals in the league since signing on a free from Borussia Dortmund in 2014. The prolific Polish striker reached a century of outings in the German top-flight on Saturday, and marked the occasion with a brace against Mainz.
The Poland international has been prolific throughout his time in Germany, having previously starred for four years at Borussia Dortmund.
His first came on 55 minutes after converting Thomas Muller’s cross, before heading in a second past Rene Adler 13 minutes from time. Forward Muller had opened the scoring by drilling in a finish and Arjen Robben doubled their advantage.
The result provided much relief for Bayern who have had a difficult week, following reports in the Spanish media that Lewandowski was looking for a move to La Liga champions Real Madrid.
And German football writer Raphael Honigstein told BBC Radio 5 live that Bayern boss Carlo Ancelotti will not see out his contract beyond the summer and be replaced by Hoffenheim head coach Julian Nagelsmann.
But after the match, Bayern chairman Uli Hoeness laughed off the claims by saying that it is not April 1, in reference to April Fool’s Day.
The champions are second in the league, behind unbeaten Hannover, having been beaten by Hoffenheim in their previous game.
While Lewandowski remains a talismanic presence for Bayern, there have been signs of late that cracks could be appearing in the relationship between club and player.
Lewandowski suggested at the end of the 2016-17 campaign that he had been unable to snatch the Golden Boot away from Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang due to a lack of support from his team-mates.
He still managed to net 30 league goals, and 43 in all competitions, and already has nine in seven appearances this season.
Tags: Bayern Munich, Robert Lewandowski