On the jubilation round through the stadium in front of 25,000 Bayern fans waving flags, Robert Lewandowski would have liked to lead the way as the flag bearer. But the once again all outstanding world footballer had to watch after the 5-0 (2-0) shooting match against a terrifyingly helpless Hertha, as Thomas Müller, Manuel Neuer and Joshua Kimmich with their huge red and white flags with the imprint "Back home" to the return of more and more spectators across the lawn. Müller did not want to give up his flag. No matter: Torgigant Lewandowski also holds up the flag of the German series champions - and at the same time that of the entire Bundesliga.
Three goals against Hertha, five again after three matchdays, plus two goals against Borussia Dortmund in their first small title in the national Supercup: Lewandowski just continues at the beginning of the old season as if there hadn't been a summer break.
Records fall every week, and the Pole snapped in the 13th league game in a row.
"I'm not thinking of records," said the 41-goal record man last season.
“It is important that the team play well - and then I benefit from it.” In the 333rd competitive game for FC Bayern, he scored 299 to 301 goals on Saturday evening.
Lewandowski astonishes Müller
“That was our best game of the season,” said Julian Nagelsmann after his first shooting festival as Bayern coach and raved about the man of the game, who had been named Germany's Footballer of the Year before kick-off.
"When you have gained so much on a personal and team level in the last two years and then develop this greed again from the first game on, that is extraordinary," said Nagelsmann, praising the character of the top professional.
The coach was also asked if Lewandowski was the best Bundesliga player in history.
"The Bundesliga has been around for a few years," mused the 34-year-old Nagelsmann - and then said: "He's probably top of the top" - in other words, top of the line.
Before the gala of Lewandowski and the 3-0 of the young star Jamal Musiala, who was also celebrated by the audience, Müller had opened the scoring against the Berliners.
He too sees the 33-year-old Lewandowski "on the next level".
The eternally hungry goal giant is now indulging in other goals as well, as demonstrated by the 1-0 when he passed a pass and left it to Müller, who was posted behind him.
“There have been years when he took the ball with him and tried it himself,” said Müller, astonished.
Lewandowski's (goal) greed has not diminished.
And then it almost sounded like a threat to all upcoming opponents when he said: “I'm always trying to go one step higher.” Top of the top of the top, so to speak.
"Everything starts to click"
Lewandowski, like his young Dortmund goal competitor Erling Haaland, is a blessing for the Bundesliga, which is watching the international transfer market in amazement in times of Corona. While three-digit million transfers are being processed in England and world stars like Lionel Messi (to Paris Saint-Germain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) and possibly Kylian Mbappé (to Real Madrid?) Dominate the headlines with their spectacular club changes, Lewandowski is the one best advertising ambassador for the Bundesliga. And Bavaria's first guarantee for goals and other titles.
Even if there is a lot of discussion about the international competitiveness and the breadth of the Munich squad in the final spurt, it is still top class. And the successful start phase under new coach Nagelsmann leaves little doubt as to the continuation of national supremacy, including the number ten championship title in a row. “Everything is slowly coming together, the new philosophy. It all starts to click. We play really good football, ”announced the 18-year-old Musiala after the first evening with Nagelsmann.
Even if the appearance of the Berliners was "shocking", as coach Pal Dardai found, the Munich offensive force is already brutal again. “We did everything we had planned,” said Lewandowski. Leroy Sané, who was watching from the bench for an hour, was also allowed to actively participate in the gala as a template for Lewandowski. “He lets himself be zero”, praised Nagelsmann, who also praised the “football field mentality” of the Sané competitor Musiala.
After the international break, Bayern have to show whether they are overall "top of the top" again, first away in Leipzig, then at the Champions League start at Messi-less FC Barcelona. Nagelsmann's return to Leipzig could become even more explosive, as Bayern could buy away captain Marcel Sabitzer after the coach and defensive ace Dayot Upamecano. “We have already dealt with the player, yes. That could become an issue, ”said sports director Hasan Salihamidzic tellingly.