It's hard to believe but it's true! After the 6-0 goalfest against Borussia Mönchengladbach, Robert Lewandowski needs just one more goal to equal Gerd Müller’s historic record of 40 goals in a Bundesliga campaign (in the 1971/72 season). The Pole scored a hat-trick and has two matches to equal Der Bomber’s number – and considering Lewandowski’s hunger for goals, arguably there is not a lot that can prevent him from achieving it.
After sealing the championship title, Lewandowski aims to set an individual record:
Praise for good groundwork
“I’ll continue stepping on the gas, I’ll try to do everything for the team,” the 32-year-old said after the final whistle on Saturday evening, praising his teammates: “The way we’re improving is incredible. I’m thankful my teammates feed me with so many assists.”
The world’s best player did not have to wait for long until the first assist. David Alaba’s textbook cross invited him to open the scoring in the second minute, the fastest goal in his Bundesliga career. It was Lewandowski’s 199th goal for the German record champions, and he marked his milestone goal when he shone with a sumptuous sideways scissor-kick after the half-hour. His third goal, number 39 this campaign, was comparatively easy, Lewandowski dispatching a penalty for handball.
"I'm amazed. Robert Lewandowski now has 39 goals. When Gerd Müller once scored 40, I wasn't yet at FC Bayern. But I have to say I believed it was a record that would stand the test of time," Karl-Heinz Rummenigge explained afterwards. As a former world-class striker, the 65-year-old has already made his verdict on the Pole: "He will definitely go down in FC Bayern history."
Lewandowski surpasses Pizarro in all-time league wins
And this is probably also due to another record Lewandowski secured against Gladbach. The 6-0 win saw Lewandowski celebrate his 249th Bundesliga victory, overtaking Claudio Pizarro (248) in the all-time rankings: no other foreign player has won as many games in Germany's top flight. Over the course of the rest of the season, the Gerd Müller record should also fall. "Lewandowski is in terrific form. He still has two opportunities [to beat the record] and as you saw him today, he wants it badly. He will do everything he can to make it, and we as a team are happy for him," said Manuel Neuer. Teammate Thomas Müller agreed and promised not to let up despite winning the title early. "There is still Lewy's story. The team is fully behind that, too."
The World Footballer of the Year returned the favour against the Foals after all the support he has received in front of goal this season, setting up a goal for his team-mate Kingsley Coman (44'). For the sixth time in his career, Lewandowski was directly involved in at least 4 goals in a Bundesliga match. "When you see a teammate, you have to play him in. With good team spirit, you can create more chances and score goals," Lewandowski revealed - and that should be Bayern's recipe to carry the exceptional striker to what would be a remarkable record tally in the next two weeks.
All info on Bayern's ninth title in a row here:
Topics of this article