Robert Lewandowski, for all his goal scoring, might be one of the most underrated players in the world right now. And while his clinical finishing is well documented, his all-around footballing is often overlooked.
Lewandowski scored two more goals to lead Bayern Munich to a 4-0 rout of rival Borussia Dortmund in Saturday’s Der Klassiker at Allianz Arena, extending his run of scoring in every Bundesliga and Champions League match this season.
But we can’t get over the lovely bit of skill he pulled off to set up an opportunity, even if it didn’t result in a goal.
Bayern entered Saturday’s match in sixth place with Dortmund in fourth, neither side particularly pleased with its start to the season. Bayern had fired Niko Kovac and beat Olympiacos at midweek to regain a bit of form and by the end of Saturday it zipped up to third place while consigning BVB to fifth.
Dortmund failed to get anything going the entire match. While it had a bit of early pressure with an intent to attack young Canadian Alphonso Davies playing at left back, Jadon Sancho was pulled in the 36th minute with a nagging injury. Dortmund failed to record a single shot in the first half, finishing with two all match and none on target.
Robert Lewandowski vs Dortmund
Meanwhile, Lewandowski scored two more goals, giving him 16 goals in 11 games to go with six in four Champions League matches.
Here’s his first goal to open the scoring.
BAYERN STRIKE FIRST! And of course it's Robert Lewandowski who's done it! #DerKlassiker pic.twitter.com/HljNK41vth
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 9, 2019
And Lewa’s second, which put the game out of reach at 3-0.
for Lewandowski, for Bayern Munich!
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 9, 2019
As impressive as his fine finishing in front of goal was, the most memorable moment of the match might’ve been this incredible first touch to create a first-half chance. Lewandowski flew through the air to control the ball before sending a tantalizing cross Mats Hummels did well to head clear.
We'll just leave this here. pic.twitter.com/6DLS1Mu9BN
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 9, 2019
Lewandowski just went full Bundesliga logo pic.twitter.com/xtGrigFj7D
— Dub (@DubKrieg) November 9, 2019
The way Lewandowski, 31, is playing right now, he deserves to be in the conversation with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as one of the best in the world.
Oh and Serge Gnabry also scored after a horrendous offside decision — Thomas Müller was in his own half — was thankfully overruled by the VAR.
IT'S TWO FOR BAYERN!
Serge Gnabry doubles the lead after VAR overturns the offside call! #DerKlassiker pic.twitter.com/6h64C8AGjR— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 9, 2019
The fourth score came on an own goal from Hummels, the former Bayern Munich player who did not enjoy his return to Allianz Arena.
IT'S FOUR!
Mats Hummels turns into his own net to compound Dortmund's misery and extend @FCBayernUS' lead. #DerKlassiker pic.twitter.com/8ETAoyaKAQ— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 9, 2019
It was an entertaining Bundesliga match — unless you’re a Dortmund fan — and it’s a shame Fox felt the need to hide one of the biggest matches of the year in Germany on FS2. Instead Fox showed some crappy Big 12 football on FS1 and an even worse Big 10 football game on Fox.