Bayern Munich’s goal scoring ‘machine’ Robert Lewandowski took his 2019/2020 Champions League goal haul to 13 from eight games after netting three in the German side’s 7-1 aggregate win against Chelsea in the Round of 16 and promptly refused to admit aiming at Cristiano Ronaldo’s record.
Lewandowski scored one and Serge Gnabry double when Bayern won the first leg 3-0 in London, in February. And on Saturday at the Allianz Arena, he bagged a brace and two assists, while Ivan Perisic and Corentin Tolisso scored the other two goals in their 4-1 win.
Ronaldo currently holds a record of 17 goals scored in a single Champions League season. Lewandowski is only four goals away from equalling it, and needs five to beat it, and either feat looks achievable if Bayern can reach the final this season. Firstly, they face Barcelona in the quarter-finals.
The 31 year old Poland captain has so far netted an incredible 53 goals and eight assists in all competitions for Bayern this season.
Lewandowski was asked to comment about facing Ronaldo’s 17 goals record in a Champions League season after Saturday’s game at the Allianz Arena.
“That’s not the aim,” he was quoted as saying by Sport1. “We only have one knockout game now and we have to play really well as a team. The most important thing is that we win and play the next round.
Also Read – UCL: Barcelona, Bayern Munich Zoom Into Quarter-finals
Lewandowski added: “The important thing is that we played well forward, scored goals and had fun. We had a break and knew from the very first minute that we had to find our rhythm. We did it right Well done. In the first minutes of the second half we made mistakes that were a bit too simple. But we already had in mind that we had to find our form today. ”
Asked About their upcoming quarterfinal match against the Lionel Messi-inspired Barcelona he said: “We have to show as a team that we are better and that we want to get to the semi-finals. Barcelona are always dangerous. They are always dangerous and always play great football. We have to from the first minute watch out and show our quality. This is just one game and the better team will play in the next round.”
“It is a big goal for every player to win the Champions League. But we have to beat Barcelona first and not think about what happens afterwards. First the game, then we see what happens afterwards. ”
Bayern Munich coach, Hansi Flick and midfielder Leon Goretzka also hailed Lewandowski’s contribution in the match against Chelsea glowingly.
“He scored two goals, so it goes without saying that he can also prepare. That is what makes the team stand out as a team. As a coaching team, we live these things over and over again,” Flick remarked.
Goretzka added: “”He’s actually a phenomenon. When I see how he trained last week, I thought to myself: ‘Should I talk to him about why he’s not running?’ But he only said: ‘Keep calm! Saturday is important.”
