As the year draws to a close, we take a personal look at special matches of the past twelve months. Today: When Robert Lewandowski broke a record that was considered unattainable for decades
Would he make it? Or wouldn’t he? Actually, everything spoke for it, after this super season. And the legendary record of 40, valid since the 1971/72 season and supposedly set for eternity, had already been reached on the previous matchday in Freiburg. So on the last matchday against Augsburg, one goal was missing to even surpass Gerd Müller’s record.
Robert Lewandowski (33) tries several times, as a look back at the records proves: first with a header on the centre of the goal (8th minute), then with a follow-up shot (30th), with his left foot (39th) and his head (40th/54th), before Augsburg’s Marek Suchy throws his body into a Lewandowski shot and saves for his already overcome keeper Rafal Gikiewicz (57th). In the 70th minute, FC Bayern’s number 9 is fouled two metres in front of the penalty area, the free kick is safely intercepted by the FCA goalkeeper. Although his colleagues serve him with their passes, passes and crosses, he does not manage to score a goal. Time runs out, Bayern lead 4:1, 4:2. So what? Only the Lewandowski question is of interest.
Would he still make it? Five minutes left to play. which Lewandowski has long since secured for himself ahead of André Silva (28 goals for Frankfurt), is deposited in an office in the stadium. It is to be handed over down on the pitch immediately after the final whistle. So it has to be picked up shortly before the end of the game so that it arrives on time on the pitch. The walk through the catacombs of the Allianz Arena takes three.
So it’s urgent time to leave the press box in the stands. “And then it will happen,” is the fear expressed to colleague Georg Holzner. Despite the attitude that 40 goals for Gerd Müller and 40 goals for Robert Lewandowski would be the optimal solution after all, this historic moment, when a new top score would be written into football history after 49 years, is not to be missed but experienced live and seen with one’s own eyes on the spot.
His sixth goalscorer’s canon – and yet a very special one
So the 30 or so steps to the stand exit are taken hesitantly, eyes fixed on the proceedings below: It might happen after all. And it does happen. Leroy Sané shoots from 18 metres in a central position, Gikiewicz dives down to his right, the ball bounces off his chest, Lewandowski is there, curves around his compatriot who is jumping towards him like a cat, takes two steps to the right and slides in. In the 90th minute. What a dramatisation!
22 May 2021 now stands for this historic moment in football history, it happened at 17.21 CEST in the Allianz Arena in Munich.
Lewandowski’s cheering run towards the right corner flag is still registered with a few glances over his shoulder. A few minutes later, the new record scorer is holding it in his hands. It is his sixth. And yet a very special one. For the shooter. What an honour! And what luck to be able to witness history being made.