Daily Schmankerl: The aftermath of Bayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen; Real Madrid, PSG, Liverpool talking Robert Lewandowski move; Madrid’s wish list includes Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, plus others; Super Marios everywhere; and MORE!

Die Folgen: Bayern’s 5-1 dismantling of Leverkusen (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich crushed Bayer Leverkusen in a match-up between the Bundesliga’s top squads. In a match that was supposed to be tight, it ended up being anything but. Here are some quick hitters on the match:

• Let’s address the big question that is on everyone’s mind...is Robert Lewandowski happy now?
• We all know how The Wire’s Bunk Moreland would pose that question — with a sly smile of course: “You happy now, b!tc%?”
• Of course, Lewandowski is happy with the brace, but probably a little bitter he didn’t get a hat trick. That is what makes him great, though. What a performer. What a player. The Polish Hitman was masterful.
• Bayern Munich’s execution on the free kick that set up Lewandowski’s first goal was superb. Joshua Kimmich found Dayot Upamecano wide of the far post and the defender’s redirection to the Polish Hitman was excellent. That is exactly the kind of goal that many strikers find a way to miss on. Not Lewandowski.
• Still, even with that early lead, Bayern Munich was far from at their best. They were choppy and sloppy at times...that did not last long, however. The Bavarians ultimately ended up turning in one of their most complete and dominant efforts of the season.
• It seemed as if Bayern Munich was incredibly amped. The squad’s press was very active...maybe more than some other games that we have seen this season.
• Seriously — and I give you all permission — give me the hands if you ever see me doing this at a game...or anywhere in public:

• Leroy Sane’s shot in the 19th minute was very cheeky and almost got in...if not for that pesky post. At this point in the match, Bayern Munich was smothering Leverkusen.
• I’m sure Leon Goretzka wants his attempt in the 22nd minute back. That is a shot that the midfielder normally buries.
• Alphonso Davies was brilliant in dribbling in to suck in the defense as he set up Lewandowski’s second goal. You just can’t leave Lewandowski a sliver of space.
• Thomas Müller’s deflection goal on Niklas Süle’s shot attempt was pretty neat (and maybe a little lucky). Müller looked re-energized out there, which was really good to see. With such a heavy schedule at his age, it is always tricky to manage that type of workload.
• Just seconds later, Müller perfectly set up Serge Gnabry for the squad’s fourth goal. It was a brilliant run by Gnabry and just a terrific pass from Müller. The effort that started the pay, however, was Leroy Sane’s relentless pressing.
• Bayer Leverkusen was completely flustered by this point and a quick, give-and-go from Gnabry and Goretzka resulted in Bayern Munich’s astounding fifth first half goal.
• I think this game was the best effort from Kimmich and Goretzka in working together in the midfield. Their time together was dominant.
• Goretzka seemed to be playing higher up the pitch than we are used to seeing.
• Bayern Munich’s defensive work rate was really off the charts.
• Süle was excellent. What a match from the big man! This has been an excellent campaign for the Germany international so far.
• The entire back line was outstanding on the day really. It was just a dominant performance at both ends of the pitch.
• Florian Wirtz and Patrick Schick could be a very lethal combo with some more time together.
• I don’t know what Bayer Leverkusen takes from that effort. In the beginning of the match, they were going punch for punch, but losing. Then Bayern Munich just overwhelmed them with a barrage before things settle back down in the second half for Die Werkself. At a minimum, Leverkusen learned that it still has a way to go to catch up with Bayern Munich.

If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen:

Lewy being pursued by three clubs (Transfer Market Web)

With word of Robert Lewandowski being frustrated at Bayern Munich, the vultures are circling. Specifically, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Liverpool:

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski is one of the best players in the world and 2022 could be the year we see him change clubs since he left Dortmund to join the German giant.

The Pole is one of the best positioned to win the Ballon d’Or, which he would have already achieved in 2020, without any doubt, if the award had finally been awarded. Now there are three teams that dream of taking over the scoring power of the Polish star.

- Manchester City: Guardiola’s City needs a quality ‘9’ that combines with the greatness of the blue squad and Lewandowski is right for him. A striker who falls in love with the Catalan coach, who knows him perfectly and knows that he is not only a scorer, but that he is also a player who would fit perfectly in his football. City also has the solvency to offer a good sum that could satisfy Bayern.

- Real Madrid: A few hours ago, we were also aware that the Polish footballer would have offered himself to the white club. It is true that the star of the Bavarian team has sounded for Madrid on several occasions and this could be the year in which they took over his services, although he would have to fit into an alienation that Karim Benzema cannot do without.

- Liverpool: Given the possible departure of Salah, which is in the process of renewal as well as speculation, Lewandowski could be the one to not lose the goal and the quality that the Egyptian provides to the ‘reds’. Although they are very different players, both are very important offensively and he has the approval of Klopp, who would welcome the arrival of the Pole.

Lewandowski’s future might be uncertain, but it remains to be seen if he actually wants to leave Bayern Munich.

ICYMI: The Weekend Warm-up Podcast (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich kicked back into Bundesliga action this weekend, but the club had more than a few big stories break — and we’re not even delving too far into Lucas Hernandez being summoned to Spain to face a prison sentence.

Let’s take a look at what we have on tap for this episode:

• A recap of Germany’s progress under Hansi Flick.
• More noise surrounding Niklas Süle’s uncertain future in Bavaria.
• Robert Lewandowski’s rumored meltdown and why this probably has at least some validity.
• Bayern Munich’s front office taking a look at what it might take to bring in Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland.

Madrid’s wish list (Sport Bild)

Speaking of Los Blancos, the complete shopping list for Real Madrid is quite...ambitious:

Real Madrid are currently the only club in Europe with more transfer rumors than Newcastle United. According to “As”, the “royal” want to be very big on the transfer market next summer:

► Kylian Mbappé (Paris St. Germain)

► Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund)

► Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

► Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

► Paul Pogba (Manchester United)

► Antonio Rüdiger (Chelsea FC)

► Franck Kessié (AC Milan)

This does not necessarily mean that Real Madrid is going to try and buy all of those players, but will likely at least put out feelers to see what they can make work.

Götze meets multiple Marios (@MarioGoetze)

Mario Götze met a few Nintendo-inspired fans:

Hammers close on Soglo? (Hammers.News)

West Ham United is close to signing former Chelsea academy player Emran Soglo, who had a tryout with Bayern Munich last summer:

West Ham United could be set to snap up teenage starlet Emran Soglo, who almost signed for European giants Bayern Munich in the summer. David Moyes has made it clear he wants to build West Ham around young, hungry talent.

And the Hammers have overhauled their recruitment philosophy as a result over the last 18 months, with a renewed emphasis on youth. West Ham have signed a host of young players who the club hope will go on to prove to be bargains.