It was another strong outing from Robert Lewandowski as his hat-trick performance led Bayern Munich to a 3-0 win over Schalke and their first win of the season. The Polish ace has scored all 5 of Bayern’s goals from their opening 2 matches and is certainly primed for collecting yet another Torjägerkanone at the end of the season. His hat-trick in Gelsenkirchen was a trifecta of sorts, scoring once from the penalty spot, once from a free-kick, and once from open play - the only thing missing from his haul on the night was a header.
Speaking after the match (via tz), Lewandowski said he still has a lot of room to improve despite starting the season with 5 goals from only 2 matches and commented on the stutter-step technique that he uses in the run-up to his free kicks:
I can always play better, I still have potential, to become even better. You can win a game alone, but with the team, championships. A year and a half ago I had a problem with the patella tendon, that is why I couldn’t practice free-kicks for a year.
The beauteous free-kick goal:
ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI!
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 24, 2019
It's an absolutely PERFECT free kick to double Bayern's lead pic.twitter.com/A1wzkRJp0j
While they might not have gotten their season off to the best of starts with a 2-2 draw against Hertha Berlin at the Allianz Arena, Lewandowski feels his side is well equipped and recognized the second half substitutions that Niko Kovac made against Schalke:
It doesn’t matter whom we play, I always try to shoot goals. Because I know that my goals and my runs help the team. The Bundesliga is not a simple league. That is why you always need to be ready. That looks good. We were able to make two substitutions in the second half and bring in fresh blood. In the whole season you play every third day. Here and there you need fresh blood. Our roster is optimal.
Specifically, he was referring to Ivan Perisic and Philippe Coutinho, who came on to make their debuts for Bayern in the 57th minute for Serge Gnabry and Thomas Muller, respectively. Both signings were completed within the span of the last 10 days. While neither debutant really stamped their authority on the match, they both add depth to Bayern’s attack, which will be vital considering how much rivals Borussia Dortmund have strengthened over the summer and have already started off with 2 wins. Lewandowski knows his former club will always be there in the title race and knows that Bayen cannot let complacency creep in having already dropped 2 points against Hertha Berlin:
Dortmund has a good roster. We saw yesterday that can turn a game around. But we are Bayern Munich and we also have players with high quality. We have been champions for seven years and Dortmund is always trying to take it. We dropped two points in the first game and now we have to go for the win.
Lastly, it was reported on Friday that Lewandowski would be extending his contract with Bayern, which would keep him at the club until 2023. He’s been quite vocal about his desire for the club to make high quality signings, but it was suggested that Coutinho’s arrival was part of the reason for him deciding to extend his contract. There aren’t any details yet on what the salary negotiations are, but nonetheless, when he was asked about it, he said the extension was almost complete:
It is not yet for sure, but it is 95% percent sure.