Robert Lewandowski: MD19's Man of the Matchday rises to 300 Bundesliga goals after another memorable treble
Arise Sir Robert Lewandowski: Poland's superstar striker is again on the Bundesliga's honours list after a hat-trick in Bayern Munich's 4-0 win against Cologne brought the 33-year-old to 300 goals in Germany's top division.
Only the second player to reach that milestone after Gerd Müller did so against Hertha Berlin in 1976, Lewandowski is continuing to make inroads on the German legend's all-time Bundesliga record of 365 goals. The prolific Pole is purring in 2021/22 having amassed just one goal fewer this season as compared to the same stage last year. With 23 strikes to his name, Lewy has a clear lead at the top of the scoring charts. The formidable forward's exploits after 19 matchdays are enough to take the breath away.
Watch: Lewandowski and Bayern put Cologne to the sword
Indeed, hosts Cologne were blown away by the Bayern great and 2021 FIFA Best Men's Player nominee, who kicked off his hat-trick feat after just nine minutes on Saturday. Collecting yet another Thomas Müller through ball, Lewandowski subsequently tucked away his team's opener.
A stylish clipped finish in the second half had Bayern 3-0 up, while one more treble in a memorable Bundesliga career was sealed with the 33-year-old finishing from Leroy Sane's key pass on 74 minutes. By the end, the Billy Goats were understandably sick of the sight of the man who has registered 18 goals in 17 Bundesliga appearances against them.
"For me it's something special," Lewandowski told bundesliga.com after Bayern's 15th top-flight win this season. "Before the game, I don't think about records or how many goals I have already scored or how many I have to score.
Watch: Lewandowski reacts to his milestone
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"I do my job - I do my best," the striker continued. "[300] is a nice number. For sure it's a very nice number. I didn't expect I'd score so many goals in the Bundesliga if you'd asked me ten years ago, or longer. Now, I'm here with 300 goals, and it means a lot."
Manuel Neuer, meanwhile, praised his "machine-in-the-box," teammate when speaking to Bayern's official website. "We're happy and grateful that he plays for us," the club captain said. "He holds the ball up superbly and the way he finishes is special."
Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann added that one of Lewandowski's "great qualities" is that "he wants to, and can, initiate many attacks and then sprints into the box to wait for a cross or rebound. Apart from the goals, he worked hard against Cologne and was often in very good positions."
The former Borussia Dortmund forward has already finished as the Bundesliga's leading marksman six times in the past since arriving in Germany from Lech Poznan in 2010. Few would bet against one more top scorer's cannon arriving in the Lewandowski family trophy cabinet come the end of this campaign.
For now, though, it's time to sit back and savour one more magical moment from the best striker in the world: Mr. 300 Bundesliga goals, take a bow.
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