Robert Lewandowski opens the scoring for Bayern Munich to surpass Raul as 3rd all-time leading top-scorer of UCL

Robert Lewandowski opens the scoring for Bayern Munich to surpass Raul as 3rd all-time leading top-scorer of UCL
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Robert Lewandowski became Champions League’s third all-time leading top-scorer

The Bundesliga giants sealed a 4-1 away win in the first leg of their last-16 tie, with Robert Lewandowski, Jamal Musiala, and Leroy Sane giving them an insurmountable 3-0 lead within the first half.

Robert Lewandowski became the Champions League’s third highest goal scorer after he opened the scoring for the defending champions in the ninth minute. The Polish striker added his 72nd goal in this competition, surpassing Raul’s tally of 71 goals. His goal-scoring record in the the Europe’s elite competition is bettered only by Cristiano Ronaldo (134 goals) and Lionel Messi (119 goals).

The Italian side Debacle

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Crushing defeat for S.S. Lazio

It was a displeasing night for S.S. Lazio’s defence as a feeble pass from left-back M. Musacchio to the goalkeeper instead turned into an assist for Lewandowski to score coolly in the 9th minute. A similar fiasco in the 47th minute this time by center-back, F. Acerbi to put the ball into his own net exacerbated the situation.

Joaquin Correa pulled a goal back for the home side two minutes later.

“Everybody met the expectations, we had a very good team performance and everybody applied pressure,” said Bayern coach, Hansi Flick. “Everybody had the will to do something special right from the start. The win is well-deserved. I am very happy. We made a giant step towards the quarter-final,” he added.

With this result, the 26-year-old Joshua Kimmich sets a new record – the most wins by a player in the first 50 appearances in the competition’s history. It was his 38th win that night. 

From start to end, both teams played as though they knew what was coming. “We knew beating Bayern was difficult,” said Lazio midfielder Lucas Leiva. “But we helped them by how we played. This isn’t the Lazio that we know, it was a difficult night. We need to learn from this defeat and take the experience, then we’ll go to Munich to play with pride and mentality,” added the Brazilian.

Bayern return to Bundesliga action on Saturday when they face Koln at home and then host rivals Borussia Dortmund a week later. The second leg against Lazio will take place on March 17.

Read Also: Bayern Munich thrash Lazio 4-1 in the 1st leg of Round of 16