Top 10s of 2020: Part 1 - Most Aesthetically Pleasing Goals

Bayern Munich have scored a ton of goals in 2020 — 149 to be exact. Among those, some were great, some were so-so, and some were absolutely out of this world. So, I decided to pick ten out of the finest golazos we scored this year, strictly based on artistic value. If we missed any, don’t worry, there’ll be a “biggest impact goals” piece coming tomorrow, so stay tuned for that. Right now, though, let’s dive into the most beautiful goals of 2020!

10. Robert Lewandowski vs VfB Stuttgart

Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

Bundesliga Matchday 9, 2020/21

Goal Scored: 2-1, FT: 3-1

We start with our top scorer scoring a belter of a goal vs Stuttgart.

With the score tied at 1-1 and halftime fast approaching, Lewandowski received a simple pass from Kingsley Coman. Lewy then didn’t hesitate, but let loose a thunderous shot that swerved outwards and into the corner of the net from around 25 yards out. That goal turned out to be the winner in a 3-1 win for the Bavarians, with Douglas Costa sealing the win late on. All three Bayern goals were beauties, but Lewandowski’s took the cake.

9. Leroy Sane vs Eintracht Frankfurt

Photo by Simon Hofmann/Bundesliga/Bundesliga Collection via Getty Images

Bundesliga Matchday 5, 2020/21

Goal Scored: 4-0, FT: 5-0

Since he signed for Bayern, Leroy Sane has scored a couple of bangers, all in a relatively similar fashion to a certain Arjen Robben. Dribble along left flank → cut inside → curl home with left foot, the usual procedure. The best of the bunch (so far) came against Eintracht Frankfurt when Sane unleashed a powerful curler with both perfect strength and placement into the far corner. What’s more, Sane had come on as a sub just a couple of minutes before scoring. Let’s hope that was just one of many more to come!

8. Thiago vs Mainz 05

Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images

Bundesliga Matchday 19, 2019/20

Goal Scored: 3-0, FT: 3-1

Ah, Thiago. Our original resident magician now plies his trade with Liverpool, and he showed off exactly why so many teams were after him with this particular piece of magic against Mainz.

He first left one defender in the dust before squeezing through two more with...okay, I’m going to try my best to describe it. He rolled the ball across his right foot before somehow smoothly turning that motion into a step over feint, which gave him the space to power through those two defenders and put himself one on one with the keeper. From there, it was a simple left-footed finish. Lionel Messi would have been proud.

Also, that goal happened to be the last goal Thiago ever scored for Bayern. I need a minute…(sniff)

7. Joshua Kimmich vs Schalke 04

DFB-Pokal Quarterfinal, 2019/20

Goal Scored: 1-0, FT: 1-0

Having lost Lewandowski to a knee injury, it was up to the rest of the team to find a way into the semifinals of the Pokal. As we all know, sometimes one goal is more than enough, and that one goal came from a slightly unexpected player in Joshua Kimmich.

Philippe Coutinho (yeah, remember him?) delivered a corner kick that the Schalke defense failed to deal with properly. The ball fell to Kimmich, who smashed a half volley from the edge of the box, the ball bouncing thrice before landing in the bottom corner. That goal was the only goal in an otherwise very uneventful game, unless you count Thomas Muller’s hilariously bad attempt at taking a corner himself. But it was one goal that made headlines for all the right reasons.

6. Thomas Muller vs Schalke 04

Photo by Matthias Hangst/Bundesliga/Bundesliga Collection via Getty Images

Bundesliga Matchday 1, 2020/21

Goal Scored: 6-0, FT: 8-0

Now, a couple of goals here are going to be more about the assist than the goal itself. This one is one of them.

With his side already 5-0 up against Schalke, Muller volleyed home a Lewandowski cross to make it six. The finish was a peach in and of itself, especially considering it was with Muller’s weak foot, but it was Lewy’s cross that made the fans gape in wonder. Lewandowski had initially darted into the box only to be stopped by the Schalke defense and turned away from the goal. But the Polish striker pulled a rabbit out of his hat, and RABONA’D the ball from the tightest of angles right into Muller’s path.

I mean, we all know Lewy’s good at scoring goals, but who knew he was that good at assisting them too?

5. Leon Goretzka vs Schalke 04

Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images

Bundesliga Matchday 18, 2019/20

Goal Scored: 3-0, FT: 5-0

Dear me, we’ve scored some lovely goals against Schalke, haven’t we?

In this particular game, Bayern were 2-0 up at halftime, and just after the restart, they struck again. Kimmich sent in a corner that Leon Goretzka headed against a Schalke defender. The rebound fell back to Goretzka, who leapt into the air and scissored home a beautiful curler into the bottom corner. That was such a good goal that Goretzka couldn’t help but celebrate with great gusto against his former club, although something tells me that he would have done the same even if he had scored a tap in...oh well.

The point is, he scored one of the goals of the season that day.

4. Robert Lewandowski vs Chelsea (made 99% by Alphonso Davies)

Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images

UEFA Champions League Round of 16 1st leg. 2019/20

Goal Scored: 3-0, FT: 3-0

Remember what I said about the assist being more beautiful than the goal? Well, look no further than here.

Bayern were two up against Chelsea courtesy of a Serge Gnabry brace, and one more goal would effectively kill off the tie. Enter Alphonso Davies.

The Canadian received the ball in midfield and began a solo run that saw him skip over challenges from Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen as nimbly as a cat would jump onto a fence. Phonzie then saw nothing but open space in front of him, which he rushed into like an express train before squaring it to Lewandowski for the simplest of finishes. This was the goal that put Phonzie’s name on the map, and let the Bayern faithful scream it over and over again after the final whistle.

But Phonzie wasn’t done, and he would assist an even better goal later in the season...but that goal won’t be covered until tomorrow. Sorry guys, but I think that was as impactful as it was beautiful. You all know which one I’m talking about.

3. Corentin Tolisso vs Atletico Madrid

Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

UEFA Champions League Group Stage Matchday 1, 2020/21

Goal Scored: 3-0, FT: 4-0

I personally think this is the best goal we’ve scored this season so far.

With Bayern 2-0 up against Atletico, Kimmich made a hash out of a free kick from the edge of the box, with his initial shot ricocheting off the defense. But Corentin Tolisso was there to scoop up the rebound, take a single touch, and send a 30-yard rocket right into the top corner. Word has it Elon Musk is negotiating with Coco to share his rocket secrets for SpaceX.

Even one of the best goalkeepers in the world in Jan Oblak had absolutely no chance to stop it, and I can guarantee that even if Manuel Neuer himself was in goal, he’d have a hard time saving that shot as well. Some goals, you just have to admire the shot. I’m sure Oblak did.

2. Serge Gnabry vs Olympique Lyon

Photo by Miguel A. Lopes/Pool via Getty Images

UEFA Champions League Semifinal, 2019/20

Goal Scored: 1-0, FT: 3-0

Arjen Robben makes another appearance on our list, this time taking the form of Serge Gnabry.

Bayern were finding it hard to break down a determined Lyon side, who were also giving them problems on the other end of the pitch. It was going to take something special to turn the tide in the right direction, and thank goodness, something special did happen.

Gnabry got the ball and started dribbling, shrugging off a defender while doing so. His journey wasn’t over yet, with literally half the Lyon team surrounding him in a matter of seconds. If I was in the same situation, I would have passed it to an open teammate. Not Gnabry. He took on the challenge and before you could say Jack Robinson, launched a fiery shot with his left foot into the far corner. A goal reminiscent of Robben’s famous goal vs Fiorentina back in 2010, this goal reminded every Bayern fan of their favorite Flying Dutchman.

It also marked the start of a 3-0 win that put Bayern in the Champions League final. We all know what happened there.

1. Joshua Kimmich vs Borussia Dortmund

Photo by FEDERICO GAMBARINI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Bundesliga Matchday 28, 2019/20

Goal Scored: 1-0, FT: 1-0

The number one spot on today’s list could have easily made tomorrow’s list in terms of impact, but I decided to put it here because my word, it was probably our best league goal of the season.

In a cagey affair that could determine the future of the Bundesliga title race, Bayern and Dortmund were very cautious indeed when attacking. But sometimes, in this sort of a game, you have to take chances, and that’s exactly what Kimmich did.

In a scramble at the edge of the Dortmund penalty area, Mats Hummels cleared the ball just as far as Bayern’s “Mentality Monster.” Kimmich looked up, saw Roman Burki off his line, and made up his mind in a split-second. No power shot for him. Instead, he decided to chip the ball gently over the keeper from a whopping 20 yards. Burki was left flailing helplessly as the ball sailed into the net, slightly off his glove.

The goal decided the game, and ultimately, the title race. Bayern were seven points clear of Dortmund after their win, and they didn’t relinquish their lead once for the rest of the season. Talk about winning in style, right?

Which goals did we miss, and which goal did you like best? Stay tuned for Part 2: Most Impactful Goals of 2020, coming tomorrow!