Robert Lewandowski: MD14's Man of the Matchday and Mr Klassiker letting his goals do the talking
It was meant to be the week in which Robert Lewandowski received rightful recognition as the best player on the planet, but while that may not have materialised, the Polish goalscoring sensation showed once again why he has no peers with another match-winning performance in Der Klassiker.
Lewandowski came second to Lionel Messi in the Ballon d'Or vote, but there was no indication of any lingering disappointment as he put two more goals passed Borussia Dortmund on Sunday, taking his total to 26 in 25 games against the his former employers – more than he has scored against any other club in world football.
It was his eighth brace against BVB – also more than any other player – and his second took him ahead of Klaus Fischer's previous record of 117 away goals in the Bundesliga with his 118th.
Setting benchmarks is becoming something of a habit for the Bayern No.9, even if – as the midweek vote showed – that fact may still be lost on some.
"To be honest, I am still a little bit shocked that he didn't win the Ballon d'Or," said Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn. "What has he still got to do to win this prize?"
Scoring goals at the vertiginous rate he has reached in recent years will certainly help, with the 32-year-old showing no sign of being sated - recognition or no recognition.
"It wasn't easy to play this game," Lewandowski admitted. "You come so far only to hear that you just weren't good enough."
He made it look easy, however, in true Lewandowski fashion.
"His goals speak volumes," said Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann. "But there was another moment in the 97th minute when he won the ball back in our own penalty area, and that's the real sign of a winner. We're proud of this win and while nothing's decided yet, it was definitely a big point for us."
Watch: Highlights of Lewandowski's Klassiker-winning brace
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The win took Bayern four points clear of Dortmund, although they were made to work hard on Lewandowski's former stomping ground. He picked up yet another assist from Thomas Müller to bring Bayern back on terms almost instantly after Julian Brandt had put the hosts in front, quietening the fans before they could really lift the Westphalians onto a wave of enthusiasm.
After Erling Haaland brought Dortmund back on level terms again after Kingsley Coman had put Bayern ahead, Lewandowski showed his customary composure to dispatch the winner from the penalty spot, converting the 38th penalty out of 42 in Germany's top flight.
It is what we have come to expect of the most prolific goalscorer on the planet, doing it once again on Germany's biggest stage.
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