Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski credits Pep Guardiola's new tactics for goal scoring spree
Bayer Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has praised his side’s different tactical setup and admitted it has been crucial to his recent goalscoring form this season, as reported by ESPN. The Poland international has now scored ten goals in his last three games, including a stunning five-goal thriller in 9 minutes against Wolfsburg last Tuesday. The goals from Lewandowski has helped his team Bayern Munich top the Bundesliga table with a four-point lead.
Bayern’s attack was flanked by wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery in the past, players who both love cutting inside and taking shots on goal themselves. Unfortunately, both players have been injured and the Spanish manager has laid his trust on Douglas Costa and Kingsley Coman to provide the much-needed width to the team.
The duo are two orthodox wingers and they have focused on supplying the ball to Thomas Muller and Lewandowski, who have both benefited from the set-up in recent matches.
“It's nice when they're going in, but you cannot stop working hard because of that,” Lewandowski said. “With Douglas Costa and Coman on the wings, there are lots of crosses, and therefore lots of chances in the box.”
“And it also helps that Thomas Muller is playing very closely to me, like a second striker. It's hard to keep the ball when you're up against four defenders and two holding midfielders by yourself. It's easier with somebody next to you, somebody you can combine with.”
Lewandowski admits he has settled down in his second season with the club
Both the Bayern forwards have now scored 19 goals in seven games, doubling their total at this point last season. The Polish striker did not have the most impressive season at the Allianz Arena last term after he signed on a free transfer from arch-rivals Borussia Dortmund.
However, in his second year with the Bavarians, the striker has admitted he has felt more trust from his coach and teammates.
"In my experience, it's always better in the second season, when you know the club and what's expected of you a bit better,” Lewandowski said.
“I'm also slightly older now, so I've learned from my mistakes last season or the season before to become better.
“Being a striker is about being patient, and about trusting yourself. You won't have 100 touches, like a midfielder. Sometimes, as in the game against Mainz, you hardly touch the ball and have to come all the way back to the centre-circle to get involved.
“But you need stay focused and keep fighting for the chance, because at Bayern, a chance will definitely come, eventually. Staying tuned for these moments is something you definitely get better at as a striker, with experience.”