adminRobert Lewandowski blew Wolfsburg away with an incredible FIVE goals in nine minutes after coming off the bench when his Bayern Munich team were 1-0 down. The Bundesliga champions, who entered the match against last season’s second-placed team carrying a 100 per cent record, were disappointing as they fell behind to a goal from Daniel Caligiuri in the first half – prompting coach Pep Guardiola to make a pair of changes during the interval.
The Bayern coach replaced midfielder Thiago Alcantara with the Poland international in search of more potency from his side but could not have foreseen what would happen next.
The 27-year-old needed only six minutes to draw Bayern level after reacting to a loose ball from former team-mate Dante to slot home – before firing his team into the lead with a drilled shot from outside the area only a minute later.
Lewandowski completed his hat-trick in just four minutes – the fastest ever scored in Bundesliga history – although he needed three attempts having been denied by the post and then a save from Wolfsburg keeper Diego Benalgio before finding the net.
The previous fastest hat-trick was scored by Duisburg’s Michael Toennies in 1991 during a six-minute spell. Toennies, through his former club, was quick to congratulate the new record holder, telling Lewandowski: ‘You deserved it.’
The Pole’s haul was also four times faster than the Premier League record for five goals in a game, set by Jermain Defoe in 2009. Defoe hit five in 36 second-half minutes for Tottenham during a 9-1 win over Wigan.
Two minutes after his hat-trick, Lewandowski netted his fourth by meeting a cross from new signing Douglas Costa with a clinical finish before following that with a superb overhead bicycle kick from the edge of the area to leave Guardiola with a stunned smile on his face.
Ricardo Rodriguez denied Lewandowski a sixth with a clearance off the line as the striker tore like a whirlwind through the Wolfsburg defence, despite being touch and go before kick-off due to injury.
‘I’m very satisfied. It was a crazy few minutes,’ said Lewandowski. ‘Five goals is incredible. I’m very happy.’
His feelings of amazement were shared by Guardiola.
‘I don’t think I’ll see it again,’ Guardiola said. ‘Football is crazy sometimes.’
The former Borussia Dortmund striker became the first Bayern player to score five goals in a Bundesliga game since Dieter Hoeness in 1984, while the victory takes his side three points clear at the top of the table with six wins from as many games – although second-placed Borussia Dortmund have a game in hand.
Lewandowski also became the first Bundesliga substitute to score five goals, and was one short of the all-time record goal haul of six by Cologne striker Dieter Mueller in 1977 in their 7-2 win over Werder Bremen.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal will have been pleased to see Wolfsburg’s confidence shredded with the Germans due to arrive at Old Trafford for their Champions League encounter next week.
By contrast, Arsenal, who were reportedly interested in signing Lewandowski during the summer, will be hoping the prolific marksmen cannot carry his rich vein of form into their opening Champions League clash against Bayern on October 20. – DAILYMAIL
Online Reporter