9 - Robert Lewandowski

[Batistuta9]

worth pointing out Lewandowski was the least noticable offensive player, yet won the 2nd most tackles and the most headers on the pitch. 2 big chances (his own shot vs Ter Stegen, and Comans chance) and 1 goal (the 1-4) came directly from him dispossessing Barcas defenders in their own final third. Kinda underlines the importance of intense pressing these days.

All styles of play have weaknesses and strengths. High pressing works on teams that like to bring the ball out, which is why it worked perfectly with us.

Add to that, we had no pace up top which stopped us from using the ball over the top, which is the best way to beat the press. All our chances came from a long pass from deep.

We just didn't have the tools to beat the press and setien is stupid for trying to keep playing out from the back. Bayern Vs PSG will be interesting if both make the final. I wonder if Bayern will press as high as they did with us.

 

[Kul_z]

All styles of play have weaknesses and strengths. High pressing works on teams that like to bring the ball out, which is why it worked perfectly with us.

Add to that, we had no pace up top which stopped us from using the ball over the top, which is the best way to beat the press. All our chances came from a long pass from deep.

We just didn't have the tools to beat the press and setien is stupid for trying to keep playing out from the back. Bayern Vs PSG will be interesting if both make the final. I wonder if Bayern will press as high as they did with us.

If they press with back line going that high like against us mbappe and neymar would have a field day.

 

[Mitchell1978]

''Lewandowski got by a big margin the most chances from his team mates to score and he also is the player in the Top5 leagues who missed the most big chances''

Bundesliga 2019/20:
goals: 34
expected goals:31,2 (so + 2,8)
big chances missed: 25

champions league 19/20:
goals: 14
expected goals: 10,3 (so + 3,7)
big chances missed: 8

He's definitely outperforming his chances, especially in the CL but not by huge margins (Messi almost doubled his expected goals in the 2018-19 CL campaign) and he also benefits from playing in a great attacking team that creates loads of chances.

But his biggest talent is not his finishing but his ability to get himself in good scoring positions, like CR7 the last years.

 

[Katarina1]

Looking at the Bayern game. Lewa is part of a great team. Not the best player in the world imo. If we are talking about invidual brilliance.

All this talk that he is the best is rubbish. He is part of the best system in football.

To be fair, he was still scoring just as much early in the season when Bayern was a complete mess under Kovac.

 

[olivis]

Bundesliga 2019/20:
goals: 34
expected goals:31,2 (so + 2,8)
big chances missed: 25

champions league 19/20:
goals: 14
expected goals: 10,3 (so + 3,7)
big chances missed: 8

He's definitely outperforming his chances, especially in the CL but not by huge margins (Messi almost doubled his expected goals in the 2018-19 CL campaign) and he also benefits from playing in a great attacking team that creates loads of chances.

But his biggest talent is not his finishing but his ability to get himself in good scoring positions, like CR7 the last years.

I certainly don't agree with your conclusion. One of my flat mates is a Bayern fan, so I've seen plenty of them this year, and Lewandowski literally carried Bayern the entire season, and especcially the first half of it.

Against us he was less dominant, but still won the ball many times, won pretty much all his duels, scored once and had a great assist. And that was one of his 'lesser' games.

Considering Messi's decline is hard to deny by now, Lewandowski really is the best player in the world right now.

 

[raskolnikov]

I certainly don't agree with your conclusion. One of my flat mates is a Bayern fan, so I've seen plenty of them this year, and Lewandowski literally carried Bayern the entire season, and especcially the first half of it.

Against us he was less dominant, but still won the ball many times, won pretty much all his duels, scored once and had a great assist. And that was one of his 'lesser' games.

Considering Messi's decline is hard to deny by now, Lewandowski really is the best player in the world right now.

Switch teams amd Messi looks like its 2011. Lewandowski got cardied by his great team this match.
Its hard to look average in an 8-2 victory as the main offensive outlet, yet he managed it.
Totally overrating him and selling messi short by stating the later is in decline.
Put Messi in city's team and he looks 5 years younger.it helps greatly.

 

[Mitchell1978]

I certainly don't agree with your conclusion.

My conclusion is based on stats, early in the season he was outscoring his expected goals by a much bigger margin then what he ended up with (he had 16 goals after 11 games btw), so in a way he was carrying Bayern then.
When the whole team started to perform much better Lewa's numbers in the Bundesliga came back to earth a little.

He might be the best, most consistent performer this season, certainly the most consistent goalscorer, he isn't and will never be the best player in the world though.
On an individual level, Messi, Neymar, De Bruyne are simply better players.

 

[eaman]

My conclusion is based on stats, early in the season he was outscoring his expected goals by a much bigger margin then what he ended up with (he had 16 goals after 11 games btw), so in a way he was carrying Bayern then.
When the whole team started to perform much better Lewa's numbers in the Bundesliga came back to earth a little.

He might be the best, most consistent performer this season, certainly the most consistent goalscorer, he isn't and will never be the best player in the world though.
On an individual level, Messi, Neymar, De Bruyne are simply better players.

He's definitely not on those 3 players level. He's mostly a goal poacher from what I've seen

 

[CatalinR10]

Overated.

 

[Batistuta9]

I've watched Bayern 5 or 6 times this season and every time gnabry has been the best player.

 

[Tackle]

He was scoring at an even higher rate in the first half of the season when Bayern were shambles under Kovac. To argue Messi has been better this season reeks of extreme bias and does not deserve a serious response.

 

[behindbrowneyes]

I'm glad RM didn't get him back then.

 

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

I hope people will understand what I mean few weeks ago when I said that Bayern is so good that he will get chances over chances and of course he will score sometime. THe most dangerous player is always Gnabry because he ist very fast, can dribble and has an excellent shot.

 

[Ode to Django]

+1000

 

[eaman]

+1000

I wouldn't say that. If he was playing for a team like city where chances are created in abundance for him he would score plenty. Not sure he'd suit city though. He is not a better footballer than aguero just more of a poacher