{"id":511671,"date":"2019-08-25T13:48:56","date_gmt":"2019-08-25T17:48:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=511671"},"modified":"2019-08-25T13:48:56","modified_gmt":"2019-08-25T17:48:56","slug":"robert-lewandowski-proves-bayern-munich","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2019\/08\/25\/robert-lewandowski-proves-bayern-munich\/","title":{"rendered":"Robert Lewandowski Proves He is Still Bayern Munich’s Star"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bayern Munich<\/a> faced Schalke 04 on Friday in their first away match of the 2019\/20 Bundesliga season. The Bavarians also secured their first win of the new campaign, netting three past Schalke’s tame defense.\u00a0Die Roten\u00a0<\/em>were not the dominant force fans have become accustomed to seeing in recent seasons, and if it was not for the brilliance of Robert Lewandowski<\/a>\u00a0the match surely would have ended much differently.<\/p>\n

Robert Lewandowski Proves He Is Still Bayern Munich’s Star<\/h1>\n

A Game of Debuts<\/h2>\n

If anyone was meant to steal the spotlight in yesterday’s match, it was not Robert Lewandowski. Three new signings made their Bayern debut in the match. \u20ac80 million-Euro man Lucas Hernandez<\/a> started the game in central defense and played a solid 77 minutes. Brand-new offensive additions Philippe Coutinho<\/a> and Ivan Perisic<\/a>, meanwhile, joined the fray for the final 33 minutes.<\/p>\n

While none of those three players had a poor game by any means, it was undoubtedly Lewandowski who stole the show. The Pole netted three goals, each highlighting a different area of strength to his game.<\/p>\n

Robert Lewandowski: The Hat-Trick Hero<\/h2>\n

Robert Lewandowski’s first goal came in the 20th minute. Kingsley Coman<\/a>‘s fine footwork got the best of Jonjoe Kenny<\/a>, who brought the Frenchman down inside the penalty box. There was never any question who would step up to take the ensuing penalty.<\/p>\n

Robert Lewandowski immediately grabbed the ball and headed to the penalty spot. His unique run-up — Lewandowski takes a half-skip on the final step and keeps his head up to see which direction the goalkeeper is leaning — sent young Alexander Nubel the wrong direction. In typical Lewandowski fashion, the Pole tucked the ball into the bottom right corner to make it 1-0.<\/p>\n

Lewandowski again showed his precision from dead-ball scenarios in the 50th minute, but this time from much further out. Corentin Tolisso<\/a> won a free-kick about five yards outside the penalty box, and there was again no question who would step up to take the shot. Lewandowski curled a powerful but perfectly-placed shot over the wall and into the back of the net. 2-0.<\/p>\n

Bayern’s final goal came in the 75th minute and was perhaps the best of the bunch. Kingsley Coman sped down the right flank on a counter-attack before finding Lewandowski at the top of Schalke’s box with a low cross. Lewandowski took one deft touch, faking allowing the ball to run through to Philippe Coutinho, then put his striker’s instinct on full display with a shot fired precisely into the bottom right corner. Hat-trick complete.<\/p>\n

Robert Lewandowski Proves He’s a Star, But He Cannot Always Do It Alone<\/h2>\n

Though yesterday’s match might suggest otherwise, Robert Lewandowski cannot always single-handedly win Bayern a match. At least, the club should not expect that much from him.<\/p>\n

Yes, he is undoubtedly one of the best forwards on the planet, but even he needs some help. Saturday’s scoreline might have read 3-0, but Lewandowski’s brilliance overshadowed what was otherwise a dull performance from the Bavarians. According to Understat<\/a>, the xG for the match was 1.08 to 1.60, Bayern narrowly beating their opponents in the category.<\/p>\n

The hosts created more chances than their visitors, who often struggled to break down Schalke’s sturdy defense.<\/p>\n

Going forward, Niko Kovac must find a way for his team to create more chances. Of course, new signing Philippe Coutinho should play a huge part in that, but even he cannot do it all on his own. The onus is on Kovac to find a system that works best for his players.<\/p>\n

Robert Lewandowski may have saved Bayern Munich yesterday with his masterclass performance, but the 31-year-old cannot always be expected to be the hero.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>