Lewandowski eyes more accolades with Aubameyang out of the way

BErLIN: With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang now at Arsenal, Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski (pic) is poised to earn more goal-scoring accolades in Germany.

Aubameyang was the Bundesliga’s top-scorer last season with 31 goals – one more than Lewandowski – but Arsenal paid Borussia Dortmund a club-record £56mil (RM309mil) for the Gabon striker on Wednesday.

That leaves Lewandowski in pole-position to finish as the Bundesliga’s top-scorer for the third time having won the trophy in 2014 and 2016.

Bayern face Mainz away today, holding a 16-point lead in the Bundesliga, and the Poland striker is on fire with 18 goals in 19 league games.

With Aubameyang gone, Lewandowski is miles ahead of his nearest rival, Augsburg’s Iceland striker Alded Finnbogason, who has 11 goals.

Bayern’s main injury concern as they chase a tenth straight win in all competitions is Lewandowski’s back-up Sandro Wagner, who limped out of training after turning his ankle.

Mainz are just above the relegation places and have two wins in their last nine league games.

However, their ex-Germany goalkeeper Rene Adler could return after recovering from a thigh injury he first suffered October.

“We don’t have to talk about the quality of Bayern, they are outstanding in all positions,” said Mainz coach Sandro Schwarz.

Bayern start a busy run of three games in eight days.

They play Second- Division Paderborn away on Tuesday in the German Cup’s quarter-finals before hosting second-placed Schalke next Saturday, when Lewandowski could claim another record.

He has scored in each of Bayern’s last ten home league games and can equal the Bundesliga record – set by current Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes in 1972-73 – by netting against Schalke.

“He won’t play at home next weekend – no, I’m just joking and, of course, I hope he scores against Schalke and adds to his run,” said Heynckes. — AFP