Serge Gnabry scored his tenth goal so far this campaign when he netted after 24 minutes in Bayern's 3-2 victory over SC Paderborn. The 24-year-old crowned his 100th Bundesliga appearance when he opened the scoring.
But that was not his only reason to celebrate on Friday. The visitors levelled the scores twice, but the forward set up Robert Lewandowski's two goals in the second half, playing a crucial role in Bayern's successful dress rehearsal for Tuesday's Champions League match against Chelsea.
Involved in three goals
The winger was involved in three or more goals for the second time in a competitive club match. He had scored four goals and set up another one in the 7-2 gala away to Tottenham in October. The forward was sidelined with an Achilles tendon problem at the beginning of the year but quickly got back to top form. He has been involved in 13 goals in his last 12 Bundesliga matches, scoring eight and setting up five.
Gnabry scored Bayern's opener in the 25th minute.
Neuer: Gnabry is a crucial factor
"He was a crucial factor for us in the last two matches," Manuel Neuer said in praise of Gnabry, who had bagged a brace against Köln last weekend. "He's warming up for the Champions League," added the Bayern captain.
Gnabry has scored double figures in all of his four Bundesliga campaigns so far. His personal best mark dates back to the 2016/17 seaosn, when he scored 11 goals for Werder Bremen. Gnabry will surely break the record if he builds on his recent performances.
Workmanlike Reds overcome Paderborn: the match report.
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