Bundesliga: What would Bayern be without Lewandowski and Neuer?

What would Bayern be without Lewandowski and Neuer?

Bayern Munich ran into trouble heading into the brief winter break. The players of the German record champions are apparently quite exhausted from Corona’s long year with the tight schedule. Or is it just a coincidence that Bayern have been left behind recently? Unlikely. In the last six Bundesliga games, the triple winner was always 0: 1 behind; otherwise only Schalke could do that. The subtle difference: Bayern did not lose any of these games, converting three into a single victory.

So yesterday in the 2-1 win against Wolfsburg. The fact that there was no defeat in the last home game in 2020 and that the Munich team remained undefeated for a full calendar year at home for the first time since 1981 was due to their two biggest superstars: Robert Lewandowski and Manuel Neuer. While teammates continue to take brief periods of weakness and breaks, the scorer and goalkeeper remain fully focused and deliver the best performances week after week.

With his key, Lewandowski decided the game on offense almost single-handedly. In his 11th game of the season, it was 14-15, and his Bundesliga goals were 250-251. Only the legends of German striker Gerd Müller (365) and Klaus Fischer (268) achieved more. Even if his team doesn’t do well, Lewandowski always scores.

Tonight the Bayern striker could be voted World Footballer of the Year. Although the competition with multiple winners Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is excellent, the 32-year-old Pole is considered one of the top favorites for the coveted trophy. And the long-awaited win could give him an extra boost of motivation before the main game against Leverkusen on Saturday.

After the game against Wolfsburg, Lewandowski emphasized that he had not given much thought to the choice of the world footballer. «I concentrated on today’s game. I am not under pressure. I am delighted to be there and to have the opportunity for a great honor. “

Neuers saving parades

Manuel Neuer did not even reach the round of 16 in the world selection of players. Third place in 2014 will have to settle for tonight’s world goalkeeper title. In addition to the 34-year-old Bayern goalkeeper, Liverpool FC’s Alisson Becker and Atlético de Madrid’s Jan Oblak are nominated. Given Neuer’s performance in recent months, there should be no way around the German goalkeeper.

Against Wolfsburg yesterday, Neuer once again prevented the Munich team from having to pay for its defensive negligence with several brilliant parades. The Bayern captain saved twice against Bartosz Bialek in the final minutes and thus secured victory for his team. The first show in particular was absolutely world class. Even Wolfsburg coach Oliver Glasner thought it was “fantastic”. He wasn’t upset about it, just “amazed”.

Bayern coach Hansi Flick did not want to praise his goalkeeper too much after the “Big Points” against Wolfsburg: “That’s what awaits you,” he told his goalkeeper after the game. After that, the successful coach, who for his part is considered the favorite in tonight’s world coach’s choice, remained serious and explicitly emphasized the performances of Neuer and Lewandowski in his game analysis: “They have an incredible quality, That’s why we were there last season, it has also been so successful, ”explained Flick. And he added: “Now let’s hope they receive their awards, they have earned them more than enough.”