Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski delivered a surprising efficiency with a brace in a commanding 3-0 victory over Brest on Tuesday, turning into solely the third participant in Champions League historical past to attain 100 targets, becoming a member of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi within the unique membership.
The win lifted Barca to second within the 36-team standings with 12 factors from 5 matches, one level behind leaders Inter Milan and tied with third-placed Liverpool, who host Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Brest fell to ninth with 10 factors.
Lewandowski reached the milestone within the tenth minute, changing a penalty after being fouled by goalkeeper Marco Bizot, setting the tone for the Catalans’ dominant show.
After consecutive La Liga matches with out a win and nonetheless lacking injured teenage winger Lamine Yamal, Barca bounced again with authority, creating 19 scoring possibilities towards a Brest aspect that did not register a shot on course.
However, the hosts squandered a number of alternatives to increase their lead and have been almost punished on just a few counterattacks.
Dani Olmo doubled the benefit with an excellent solo aim, dribbling previous two defenders earlier than firing dwelling. Lewandowski sealed the win with Alejandro Balde’s help in added time with a scientific end.
“I’m very happy, very happy. One hundred and one goals in the Champions League is a great number,” Lewandowski informed Movistar Plus.
“I didn’t think I could score so many goals in the Champions League. To join Messi and Ronaldo … I guess they’re good, right?”
Patience wanted
Despite current struggles in La Liga, Barca stay atop the desk, 4 factors away from second-placed Real Madrid, who’ve a sport in hand.
“We haven’t been playing well in La Liga lately, but there are a lot of games left,” Lewandowski stated. “We simply need to be affected person. We’ll rating extra targets ultimately.
“We’re looking to win every game. If I can score to help the team, all the better. We have to win every match until the end of the season.”
At 36, Lewandowski has been in stellar type this season, scoring 22 targets in 19 appearances throughout all competitions for Barcelona. He leads the Champions League scoring charts with seven targets in 5 video games and tops La Liga with 15 targets and two assists in 14 matches.
Lewandowski’s first Champions League aim got here in October 2011 for Borussia Dortmund in a 3-1 win over Olympiakos. The Polish striker scored 17 targets in 28 Champions League matches for Dortmund earlier than becoming a member of Bayern Munich, the place he netted 69 targets in 78 video games over eight seasons. Since becoming a member of Barcelona two years in the past, he has continued his prolific run.
Still, Lewandowski faces a major problem to surpass Messi’s 129 Champions League targets, with Ronaldo holding the document at 140.
Fourth on the all-time record is Karim Benzema, with 90 targets. The closest lively participant within the Champions League is Lewandowski’s former Bayern teammate, Thomas Müller, with 54.
Barcelona now face a packed schedule, together with three La Liga matches – at dwelling towards Las Palmas and away at Mallorca and Real Betis – earlier than touring to Borussia Dortmund within the Champions League on Dec. 11.
Source: www.dailysabah.com