Three more games – and in between the round of 16 draw in the Champions League and the election for world footballer: A crucial week is ahead for Bayern Munich and above all top striker Robert Lewandowski.
Robert Lewandowski can hardly wait. Like an impatient child, the soccer superstar sneaks in the dark through the Christmas decorated living room, the tree and the presents beckon. But Lewandowski steps carelessly on a squeaking plush elk and triggers clattering doodle music through a trip hazard – caught! It’s only good for FC Bayern that the gift and goalscorer acts more cleverly on the lawn than in this commercial for a mobile phone company.
For Lewandowski and the triple winner, there is still a crucial week ahead of Christmas – with five important dates. Three Bundesliga games with the kick-off on Saturday (6.30 p.m. / Sky) at the bold outsider Union Berlin, the Champions League round of 16 draw on Monday and the world footballer election on Thursday with the candidate Lewandowski.
“We’re looking forward to it. We can crown a great year for us,” said coach Hansi Flick before the end of Advent, when Lewandowski is hoping for goals and a very personal extra present. After the creative break for Europe’s Footballer of the Year in the Champions League against Lok Moscow (2-0), he was “100 percent operational,” said Flick.
He “absolutely deserved the world football title, which Lewandowski could win as the first Bundesliga professional,” stressed Flick, “we all keep our fingers crossed for him”. Lewandowski is “the best of all”, seconded CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in the Italian newspaper “Tuttosport”, “it is really impossible to do better than him”. And Lothar Matthäus added on Sky: “There can only be one. Robert is the most complete and best player there is in world football.”
But the choice, in which Manuel Neuer can hope for the title of “world goalkeeper” and Flick that of the “world coach”, has its pitfalls: In addition to the captains and head coaches of the national teams from all over the world and over 200 media representatives, the fans were also allowed in until Tuesday vote in an online voting. Due to the pandemic, “The Best FIFA Football Awards 2020” will also be awarded virtually. Lewandowski’s competitors among the three finalists are Lionel Messi (Argentina / FC Barcelona) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal / Juventus Turin).
The Bundesliga front runner is really challenged by the surprisingly strong Unioners. “You play with a lot of passion and a lot of physical presence,” warned Flick of the capital city. The coach expects “an intense game”, although Berlin will have to do without its injured key player Max Kruse (thigh). Flick’s own personal worries are gone. David Alaba, who was also spared against Lok, is expected back, and Corentin Tolisso also has hope. In addition, Joshua Kimmich should train again with the team in the next week after his meniscus operation. And then there is the rested “gift thief” in the storm. “Lewa” was always reliable against Union: He has scored in each of the two games so far.
Those: Giessen General
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