Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski are the most impressive strikers in recent Bundesliga history, but both top stars are leaving Germany for separate directions this summer. But they just keep on scoring.
Erling Haaland hits and hits and hits: The Norwegian also scored a goal in his sixth Premier League game - Manchester City's 1-0 win against Aston Villa was his tenth goal this season. "This guy is going to break pretty much every record there is," former English soccer legend Michael Owen tweeted after Haaland's hat-trick against Nottingham Forest during the week, and the former Borussia Dortmund striker is keeping up with the pundits' praise. Statistically, the 22-year-old had scored every 43 minutes in the first five games, now the striker scratched his own statistics: It took an unusual 50 minutes for his new team to take the lead. Kevin De Bruyne served Haaland at the far post, the Norwegian only had to jump the ball over the line.
But that wasn't enough to win and jump to the top of the table: Former Leverkusen player Leon Bailey scored a surprising equalizer for Aston Villa. City coach Pep Guardiola was annoyed about the lost points: "We didn't play badly and only allowed one shot in 90 minutes, which unfortunately resulted in a goal. In the one action that we defended poorly, they got a nice goal did."
After all, the game brought the next record for striker Haaland. Having last set the record for goals after five Premier League matchdays against newly promoted Nottingham Forest, he is now also ahead of the top scorers rankings after six matches. However, Haaland has to share this top spot with Micky Quinn - who once scored twice for Coventry City on matchday six. And he hasn't forgotten his stats: "I hope all Coventry fans are proud of my record," tweeted the record holder, who is still in office with a world star.
Manchester City are second in the table with 14 points after six games. Arsenal are still first (15). Aston Villa have four points and are seventeenth in the table.
The most successful striker in recent Bundesliga history is now back on the road to success in Spain: Robert Lewandowski prepared the 1-0 at FC Sevilla through Brazilian international Raphinha (21st), and the Pole made it 2-0 with a dream goal a volley before the break itself (36'). Lewandowski, who failed to score in his new side's first league game in the 0-0 draw against Rayo Vallecano in the season opener for the first time since 2014, now leads the La Liga goalscorers list with five goals in four games.
After the strong performance by Lewandowski and the entire team, his coach Xavi found impressive words for his striker: "It's not just about the goal, it's also about how he conquers the ball, controls it, decides... how he handles the pressure handles. He's a fantastic player. He keeps track of time. He's a big help to us. He's a leader. He helps everyone. He's a winner. He's humble. It's great to have him in the team."
Eric Garcia made it 3-0 shortly after the restart (50'). In the 62nd minute, Lewandowski missed the great chance to make it 4-0 in a promising position before he was replaced a short time later by Ansu Fati (74th). With ten points, Barcelona are second behind Real after four games.
(This article was first published on Sunday, September 04, 2022.)
