Daily Schmankerl: The aftermath of Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund; English teams are keen on Robert Lewandowski; Arjen Robben to Toronto (!?); and MORE!

Die Folgen: Bayern’s 5-0 demolition of Dortmund (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich trounced a completely overwhelmed Borussia Dortmund side 5-0 in an absolutely dominant performance by the Bavarians. Here are some quick hitters on the match:

• I’ve been beating this drum since for a while, but how anyone can argue that the quartet of Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Müller, Kingsley Coman, and Serge Gnabry is not Bayern’s most effective front four is beyond me. For a plethora of reasons, Niko Kovac has been hesitant to deploy the alignment at times, but I think yesterday proved once and for all that this is what should be featured in every big match.
• As indicated just about everywhere, Müller was superb and a constant threat to the BVB defense with this ability to manipulate space, his vision, and how he interacts with Lewandowski centrally. Lewandowski is simply a better player with Müller operating behind him as an attacking midfielder. Müller has been excellent this season (the numbers prove it) and even with that, Jogi Löw still doesn’t believe Muller can help Germany.

• Lewandowski’s critics have been on full blast since Bayern was bounced by Liverpool in the Champions League, but two games don’t define a player. The Poland international has much left in the tank and provides the kind of relentless play around the net that Bayern requires from its striker.
• The central midfield duo of Javi Martinez and Thiago Alcantara was superb in every aspect. Martinez has proven that he still has the ability to take his game to a high level when called upon and Thiago shook off an uncharacteristically dreadful game against Heidenheim to rebound with a stellar performance.
• Defensively, Mats Hummels, Niklas Süle, Joshua Kimmich, and David Alaba played far more disciplined as a unit than they had all season and funny enough, it was Hummels who was the player taking the opportunities to push up. The work done by Alaba and Kimmich on the defensive flanks should not be overlooked. Jadon Sancho and Jacob Bruun Larsen are extremely talented, but were complete non-factors in the game.
• As an individual, Hummels had his best game of the season. The veteran defender is yet another player who has struggled with his consistency, but still showed that he has a lot to offer on the pitch.

If you missed our Match Awards or Observations, give them a look:

The Blues to make a play for Lewandowski? (The Mirror)

Chelsea has long been rumored to want Lewandowski, but it is hard to believe it would happen this summer for a myriad of reasons.

Chelsea are in the market for two of the Bundesliga’s star strikers. Bayern Munich goal machine Robert Lewandowski and Borussia Dortmund’s Alexander Isak are on their radar. We can reveal that contact has been made with Lewardowski’s advisors in the knowledge that the German giants are planning big changes to the squad.

Although Polish striker’s turns 31 in August it would still take a hefty transfer fee in the region of £70 million to tempt Bayern into selling a player who never fails to deliver in front of goal. Since being lured from Borussia Dortmund five years ago Lewandowski has plundered 125 goals in 152 games.

Isak, of course, has spent his season on loan with Dutch club Willem II. Chelsea is appealing its transfer ban and is hoping to get a few deals — like those referenced above — done.

That’s despite having a FIFA transfer ban hanging over them for the next two windows. They have launched an appeal and are hoping that it will be business as usual after their appeal is heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport later this month.

But wait! There’s more...

Klopp may also want Lewandowski (Live 4 Liverpool)

Could Liverpool also be in the mix (is there really a mix) for Lewandowski?

Jurgen Klopp is keen on reuniting with Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski at Liverpool, according to the Sunday People. The national newspaper’s print edition (Sunday April 7th, page 52) claims that while the Reds manager is keen to bring the 30-year-old forward to Anfield, they’re yet to show their hand in the race for him.

Ribery turns 36 today (@FCBayernEN)

Frank Ribery celebrates his 36th birthday today.

ICYMI: Examining the Bundesliga title race (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern’s impressive win over Dortmund does not necessarily mean that it is smooth sailing from here for the Rekordmeister.

ICYMI: Robben to MLS? (Bavarian Football Works)

It might have gotten lost in all of the hoopla from yesterday, but reports out of Italy indicate that Arjen Robben could be considering an opportunity to extend his career in MLS. Today, it was reported that Robben has had talks with Toronto FC.

A move to Toronto, of course, would destroy the grassroots effort that was initiated here at the Daily Schmankerl to bring the Dutch legend to the Philadelphia Union. Toronto is a really cool place (I, in fact, am a HUGE fan of the city), but Philly is Philly.

Don’t let us down Arjen Robben, you’re our only hope.