In an exhilarating display of talent, Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski netted two impressive goals during his team’s commanding 5-2 triumph over Crvena Zvezda in the Champions League on Wednesday evening. The seasoned 36-year-old showcased his striking prowess by finding the back of the net both before and after the halftime break, propelling Barça into the elite top eight of the competition’s newly structured ‘league phase’.
On a personal note, Lewandowski is on the cusp of achieving a monumental career milestone. The two goals he scored in the Serbian capital have brought him to 99 Champions League goals, a remarkable feat that places him third in the all-time scoring charts for the tournament, surpassed only by two legendary figures.
No prizes for guessing the identity of that history-making duo…
Champions League top scorers
1. Cristiano Ronaldo: 140
2. Lionel Messi: 129
3. Robert Lewandowski: 99
4. Karim Benzema: 90
5. Raúl: 71
6. Ruud van Nistelrooy: 56
7. Thomas Müller: 54
8. Thierry Henry: 50
9. Kylian Mbappé: 49
=10 Andriy Shevchenko: 48
=10. Zlatan Ibrahimovic: 48
Although Lewandowski was substituted during Wednesday’s match, preventing him from scoring a potential hat-trick that would have catapulted him into the exclusive 100-goal club, he won’t have to wait long to hit that mark. Barcelona’s next Champions League clash is set for later this month, as they gear up for a home encounter against Brest (November 26).
Lewandowski and Flick continue productive relationship
During the historic 2019/20 season, Lewandowski scored an astounding 55 goals in 47 appearances while leading Bayern Munich under the management of Hansi Flick. This extraordinary performance was instrumental in securing a coveted continental treble for the Bavarian giants.
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“What Hansi Flick is doing is incredible, not only with me but with everyone,” Lewandowski remarked after the recent El Clásico victory. “Every player feels comfortable with Hansi Flick; we showed that today. We understand each other, even without words.”
“Most importantly, the way we play as a team enhances our performance. We’re much stronger offensively, and our scoring ability has increased. Even when you find yourself in a challenging situation, your teammates have creative ideas to navigate through it,” he elaborated.
**Interview with Robert Lewandowski: A Momentous Night in Belgrade**
**Editor:** Joining us today is Robert Lewandowski, the celebrated Barcelona striker who recently made headlines with his stunning performance in the Champions League. Robert, congratulations on the victory and the two goals against Crvena Zvezda! How does it feel to contribute so significantly in such an important match?
**Lewandowski:** Thank you! It feels fantastic to help the team secure a strong win. The Champions League is always a special competition, and every goal counts. I’m just glad we played well as a unit and achieved our objective of progressing to the top eight.
**Editor:** You mentioned the importance of teamwork—what do you think allowed Barcelona to dominate in this match?
**Lewandowski:** It was a combined effort. We had a clear game plan, and everyone executed it perfectly. The midfielders controlled the pace, and our defenders kept things tight at the back. When you have everyone working together like that, it opens up opportunities, and I was able to capitalize on them.
**Editor:** With your two goals, you’ve now reached 99 in the Champions League, making you third on the all-time scoring list. That’s an incredible achievement! What does this milestone mean to you?
**Lewandowski:** It’s a significant milestone in my career, for sure. Being among the top scorers in such a prestigious tournament is something I’ve always dreamed of, but I focus more on helping my team than on personal accolades. However, reaching 100 goals in the Champions League would be special, and I hope to get there soon!
**Editor:** You’re just behind two of the greatest players in history, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Have you had a chance to reflect on sharing this milestone with such legendary figures?
**Lewandowski:** Absolutely. Both of them have inspired so many players, including myself. It’s humbling to be mentioned in the same breath as Ronaldo and Messi. They’ve set the bar incredibly high. I respect their achievements greatly and aim to continue improving my game every day.
**Editor:** Looking ahead, what are your expectations for the rest of this Champions League season with Barcelona?
**Lewandowski:** I believe we have what it takes to compete at the highest level. Our goal is always to win, and with the talent and depth we have in our squad, we can make a serious run. We need to stay focused, take it one match at a time, and continue building chemistry as a team.
**Editor:** Thanks for your time, Robert. We look forward to seeing you reach that 100-goal milestone and wish you continued success this season!
**Lewandowski:** Thank you! I appreciate the support, and I hope to bring more joy to our fans.
