Robert Lewandowski’s remarkable campaign reached a new high in Bayern Munich’s victory over Lyon as he joined Cristiano Ronaldo in the history books.
Just when you think Lewandowski has done it all, he springs another surprise upon scoring in Bayern Munich’s 3-0 semi-final win over Lyon to secure a spot in the Champions League final.
By all means, the Pole didn’t have his best game on Wednesday night. He squandered a few chances in the empty Jos Alvalade Stadium, but delivered with a late header all the same.
What made the header so special was that it was Lewandowski’s 15th goal in this season’s Champions League, sealing him a spot alongside Ronaldo in the competition’s history books.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is the only other player to have reached this feat in 2013/14 (17 goals), 2015/16 (16 goals), and 2017/18 (15 goals) for Real Madrid. In fact, he won the competition on all three occasions.
Lewandowski also moved level with former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy (2002/03) in scoring across nine successive Champions League games. Only Ronaldo has bettered this feat; having scored in 11 consecutive outings between 2017 and 2018.
Although the Portuguese’s record of 17 goals in a single campaign is under threat, with Lewandowski within touching distance. A brace against PSG on Sunday will move him level with Ronaldo. If he scores over two goals, then the record is his alone.
“He won’t think about that,” said Bayern boss Flick on Goal about Lewandowski chasing Ronaldo’s record.
“He’s happy that he finished our game. He works a lot for the team, that’s very important. For me, he is the world’s best center-forward and I hope he scores against Paris too.”
Only two players have been directly involved in 20+ goals in a single #UCL campaign..
• Cristiano Ronaldo = 2013/14
• Cristiano Ronaldo = 2015/16
• Robert Lewandowski = 2019/20The numbers Lewandowski has racked up this season are scary!
🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/xjsGjVerlz
— Oddschanger (@Oddschanger) August 20, 2020
Whatever happens on Sunday, it’s been a truly sensational campaign for Lewandowski anyway.
Defenses in the Bundesliga and Champions League have been doubling up on him all season, yet have done so unsuccessfully. He’s ruthlessly pounded in the goals time and time again.
The outcome? Lewandowski has managed 55 goals and 10 assists in 46 games across all competitions this season. Nobody in Europe comes close to his remarkable tally. Not even Ciro Immobile (39 goals), who won the European Golden Shoe.