Robert Lewandowski was named Best FIFA Men’s Player on Thursday. On Saturday he was back doing what he does best: score goals. The Bayern Munich striker bagged a brace in a 2-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen to help his side retake first place in the Bundesliga on Saturday. But he was extremely lucky to score both goals and hand Leverkusen its first loss of the season.
Leverkusen entered the day leading the Bundesliga by a point over Munich and RB Leipzig wasn’t able to jump into first place in the early matches as it was held to a 0-0 draw against Cologne. That allowed Bayern to surge into first place, two points ahead of Bayer and Leipzig and eight ahead of struggling Borussia Dortmund.
But Leverkusen will lament a chance to at the very least take a point from the defending champion, especially after taking the lead on a brilliant volley from Patrik Schick, the man who seemingly has too few Cs in his first name and too many in his last name. The Czech striker left Manuel Neuer rooted to the spot with a marvelous strike in the 14th minute.
WHAT A HIT, SCHICK!
The Bundesliga leaders are up! pic.twitter.com/eDc9E5mNTE— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 19, 2020
Munich would equalize just before the half through Lewandowski.
After a bad giveaway, a simple cross from Thomas Müller should’ve been handled by keeper Lukas Hradecky or center back Jonathan Tah. Instead, the two got in each other’s way and the ball fell kindly to Lewandowski, who was never going to miss.
A poor mistake by Leverkusen leaves the door open for another Lewandowski goal pic.twitter.com/dUFYVXtQnh
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 19, 2020
With the match looking like it was heading toward a draw, Lewandowski came through with a late, late winner.
Again the Polish striker was a bit lucky, but this time he created his luck. The No. 9 got the ball in the box and quickly took a shot on goal before defenders could close down on him. His effort took a big deflection past Hradecky to give Bayern all three points. (Credit must also be given to Joshua Kimmich, who in his first match back from a month-long injury stole the ball and passed it to Lewandowski at the same time.)
LEWANDOWSKI AT THE DEATH!
Bayern Munich go top of the league before the break! pic.twitter.com/wRzmjFCw7Z— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 19, 2020
Two lucky goals, but when they’re scored by Lewandowski, you feel like there’s more to it than luck.
Bayern Munich won’t care either way, because it’s back on top of the Bundesliga.
