GERD YOUR LOINS, ROBERT
Germans think it’s an unbreakable record.. England’s 1970 World Cup nemesis Muller scored 40 in one season but Bayern hit-man Lewandowski says he can outgun ’Der Bomber’ and make his own history
IT IS a record most thought would never be broken, set by a man England fans remember with a shudder – ‘Der Bomber’, Gerd Muller.
Muller was the scourge of England on the international stage, and a striker who caused sleepless nights for defenders across the world.
But Bayern Munich’s free-scoring Robert Lewandowski has been backed to break Muller’s incredible record of 40 league goals in one Bundesliga season, 1971-72.
The magnificent Pole (left) scored again as the Bundesliga returned to action last weekend, converting a penalty in the 2-0 win at Union Berlin.
And that strike took his tally to 26 in 24 league games this season.
Bayern have eight matches left, starting at home against Eintracht Frankfurt tonight, and though it remains a tall order few would bet against Lewandowski finally cracking that 48-year-old record.
Bayern manager Hansi Flick has no doubts. “Lewy is in top form,” he said. “It won’t be easy but he has the quality. If someone can do it, it’s him. He is the best striker in the world. It’s crazy how he performs.”
Lewandowski, 31, insists that the enforced coronavirus break has done him some good.
The Poland skipper, who had talked about retirement next year,
warned: “I am better than ever. I was able to work on my fitness more specifically.
“But comparisons with players from 20 or 30 years ago are difficult. I’m glad when I hear I’m on a par with Muller or other great Bayern strikers, but I write my own history.
“I want to show something new and do something that others have
not done yet. It’s great to be scoring, and I hope I can keep it up.”
Bayern chairman Karl-heinz Rummenigge, himself no slouch in front of goal, said: “I had thought Muller’s record was for eternity, but Robert is the first player who could get close.
“It is amazing that he scores one to three goals in each game, and of a quality to take your hat off to.”
When domestic cup goals and those in the
Champion League are taken into account, Lewandowski already has 40 for the season, reaching that mark for a fifth successive campaign.
The abiding memory of Muller (below, left) for England fans of a certain age is of the stocky little striker hooking his volley past Peter Bonetti to knock Sir Alf Ramsey’s side out of the 1970 World Cup.
Der Bomber also went on to score the West German winner four years later on home soil in the final against Holland.
He finished his illustrious career with more than a goal per game for his country – 68 in 62 appearances – and in 15 years with Bayern had a club record 365 in 427 Bundesliga matches.
And with 66 more in 74 European club games, his record speaks for itself.
Muller had only six goals to show for the first 11 games of that 1971/72 season, but after that he grabbed four hat-tricks, one fourgoal haul and even five in one game. He also missed three penalties!
But records are made to be broken and Lewandowski seems the most likely candidate.