opinion
FC Bayern
He’s there, but somehow not: the theater around Robert Lewandowski is unworthy of everyone involved
Do not feel like? With Robert Lewandowski (right), every emotion is precisely registered
© Sven Simon / Imago Images
Robert Lewandowski wants to leave, FC Bayern wants to keep him – who will prevail is still completely open. However, one thing is already clear: In this war of the roses there are only losers.
For a few moments it seemed as if the big showdown was about to take place between Robert Lewandowski and FC Bayern. At nine o’clock on Wednesday morning, when the striker was supposed to start training again after the summer break, they initially waited in vain for him. The anxious question hung in the room: is he coming or not? He came after all, with a delay, even if it was only two minutes. But the small episode shows what absurd features the theater around Robert Lewandowski has now taken on.
One thing is clear: the Pole wants to leave FC Bayern after eight extremely successful years. FC Barcelona are arguably very interested in signing him. At Bayern, on the other hand, those responsible insist that Lewandowski has a contract until 2023 and do not want to let their goalscorer go. It is also becoming increasingly clear that in this mixed situation there are only losers on all sides.
Robert Lewandowski and FC Bayern – apart from minor discrepancies, it was a fairytale relationship for eight years. Here the highly professional, perfectionist, ice-cold goalscorer. Since the club, which geared its game to a large extent to the soon to be 34-year-old. This resulted, among other things, in eight German championships and the Champions League victory, Lewandowski became top scorer in series and world footballer. All of this is now threatening to end in a war of the roses, although nobody really wants that.
Robert Lewandowski is tearing down what he has built
The player jeopardizes his good image. So far, Robert Lewandowski has been considered an absolute model professional, on and off the pitch. His goal record speaks for itself more than unequivocally, the Pole has dropped one record after the other in recent years: his 41 goals in the 2020/21 season, with which he broke Gerd Müller’s supposedly all-time record, finally made him a legend . Lewandowski has already secured his place in Bayern and Bundesliga history, but the facade is beginning to crack.
Lewandowski runs the risk of being portrayed as a greedy, possibly even unscrupulous professional who doesn’t care about his club or his team-mates when he has his mind set on something. After all: Lewandowski has (so far) refrained from a training strike, as some observers feared during the summer break and as it has now become a popular means of pressure for footballers willing to change. He has made it very clear that he has little desire to play in a Bayern jersey next season – and in training it is obvious that he, who otherwise lives completely for football, does not do more than his duty. He’s there, but somehow he’s not. Robert Lewandowski is tearing down something that he has built up at Bayern.
When will FC Bayern become weak?
Even the record champion acts in this situation without sovereignty. The fact that one of the absolute top stars is so emphatically forcing his departure leaves its mark on a club that is used to buying the competition dry and not having to give up any players out of necessity. The Causa Lewandowski nibbles at the club’s self-image, even if the bosses are left out. Tenor from Kahn, Salihamidzic and Hoeneß: Lewandowski has a contract, it is assumed that he will also play for Bayern in the coming season – and well.
But those responsible have to make a difficult decision: When is it economically advisable to take a high transfer fee for one of the best footballers in the world? According to media reports, the pain threshold should be 50 million euros. And if you keep Lewandowski against his will and despite the expiring contract: What do you do with a player who may just trott around listlessly and thus paralyze the whole team? After last season with only one title, neither sports director Hasan Salihamidzic nor coach Julian Nagelsmann can afford that. Equivalent replacement is also difficult to get – especially not in the short term.
Disappointed fan love
After all, the fans are already disappointed by the whole theatre. One of their heroes turns his back on the club as coldly as he usually only behaves in front of goal – supporters of other clubs have experienced this before, but not at FC Bayern, who are used to success. With his behavior, Lewandowski also loses the support of the audience. Now it is decided how he will be remembered in Munich.
Most of them should only wish that the season finally starts and at least football is played again. So that the focus of the discussions is no longer which grimace Lewandowski pulled in training, at what time he appeared on the premises and with whom he spoke for how long. The transfer window is still open until September 2nd. Then the curtain falls in the theater around Robert Lewandowski and FC Bayern – at least for the time being.