Bayern Munich legends aim criticism at striker Robert Lewandowski
Bayern Munich legends Paul Breitner and Sepp Maier take aim at Robert Lewandowski with some pointed criticism.
Bayern Munich’s Champions League campaign did not come to the end many hoped it would. Rather than lifting the trophy at the final in Kiev, Bayern Munich bowed out in the semi-finals to Real Madrid.
Under normal circumstances, losing to Real Madrid, especially by a 4-3 aggregate scoreline, would not be such a bad thing. Madrid are one of the best clubs in the world, and losing by a goal could be seen as an admirable feat.
But this time it was different. Bayern lost, not because they were the worse team, but because they gifted Real Madrid easy goals and couldn’t bury their own chances. Although Robert Lewandowski had nothing to do with the former cause, he was definitely involved in the latter.
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While many hoped Lewandowski would step up to the big occasion — and expected he would — after another impressive season in Bavaria, he disappointed once again. Bayern’s loss to Real Madrid was not entirely his fault, but he has to shoulder much of the blame. After all, big name strikers are expected to step up and do their job on the biggest stage. If they don’t, what are they good for?
Since then, two Bayern Munich legends have spoken out, criticizing Lewandowski, who was already a maligned figure among the Bayern faithful for his questionable loyalty to the club. Paul Breitner was first to speak up, telling Sport1:
"“I think he has a huge problem with his self-assessment and effectively only thinks ‘me, me, me.’ The team will now also ask if this is a guy we want to keep with us, it’s getting harder and harder for him to have the right support in the team."
Those comments were directed at Lewandowski’s sulking off the field and refusal to shake Jupp Heynckes’ hand after being removed in Bayern’s 3-1 win over Koln at the weekend. Breitner went a step further.
"“The team needs someone to score goals in the important games like against Real and not just in the Bundesliga. A striker who thinks he is on par with Cristiano Ronaldo has to prove it on the pitch, [Lewandowski] just lacks the talent to do so.”"
Breitner knows himself what it’s like to be a divisive figure, but apparently has no sympathy for Robert Lewandowski. But the former full-back isn’t the only one to comment. Sepp Maier recently shared his thoughts on the matter as well (via Bild).
"“These [matches against Real Madrid] were his two weakest games. He’s an excellent footballer, but when it comes to something, he has to score goals. He was invisible against Real. That’s his fault.”"
With criticism like this becoming more and more common, it seems all to likely that Lewandowski will be leaving Bayern Munich this summer. The Pole really appears to have his mind elsewhere.
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Despite their reassurance that they won’t, Bayern’s board should really consider selling Lewandowski if he isn’t fully committed to the club. Use that money, then, to bring in another younger player who will commit everything to Bayern Munich.