"I have a lot of respect for Robert Lewandowski" - Chelsea defender Antonio Rüdiger
Robert Lewandowski has "gotten even better this season" says the man charged with frustrating the Bayern Munich frontman in next month's UEFA Champions League Last 16 tie with Chelsea, Antonio Rüdiger.
Lewandowski scored a breathtaking 19 times for Bayern in the first half of the Bundesliga season and has Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's single-season best for a non-German player (31 goals) and Gerd Müller's legendary all-time single season record (40) of 1971/72 in his sights.
Rüdiger has had first-hand experience of the challenge Lewandowski poses to a Bundesliga defender having spent two-and-a-half seasons in the German top flight with VfB Stuttgart earlier in his career.
But the Germany international told SportBild that the Bayern man is - even at 31 - still improving.
"Mauro Icardi, Harry Kane and Robert Lewandowski have been the best No.9s in recent years. Lewandowski looks to have gotten even better this season," said Rüdiger, who will face Bayern's top scorer in the first leg in London on 25 February with the return in Munich on 18 March.
"I have a lot of respect for him. It'll be a tough challenge to be able to keep him in check. We can only do that as a team."
Want more Bundesliga Action?
While Chelsea are battling to stay in the top four of the English Premier League to ensure Champions League football next season, Bayern are attempting to claw back the ground lost on Bundesliga pacesetters RB Leipzig as they seek an unprecedented eighth successive German title.
The other Champions League knockout ties involving Bundesliga teams see Borussia Dortmund face French giants Paris Saint-Germain, while Leipzig face London's Tottenham Hotspur.
Related news
Who are Elversberg?
All you need to know on the Saarland-based outfit, who are flying high at the top of Bundesliga 2...
Bundesliga top scorer's race
Harry Kane top scored with 36 goals last season, but there is a wealth of attacking talents ready to vie for his crown in 2024/25...
How do Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig stack up?
Bayern take on recent rivals Leipzig in their final game before the winter break. The record champions vs. the young pretenders - how do they compare?