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Robert Lewandowski does Robert Lewandowski things
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Sebastian Widmann / Getty Images
Oh, how nice are overhead kicks:
FC Bayern have had unusually uncomfortable days.
Unvaccinated players in public focus, defeat in Augsburg, discrepancies in the team, rump squad thanks to quarantines.
That is why even the insignificant sporting kick in Kiev took on a certain significance.
But what is all of this of interest to Robert Lewandowski?
The Polish attacker scored his 25th competitive goal of the season with an extraordinary dream goal (14th minute) - and thus brought the sport back to the fore.
A blocked shot, a quick reaction, a jump and a heavy hit with the back to the goal.
The result:
Bayern won 2-1 (2-0) at Dynamo Kiev in an even game and went into the Champions League round of 16 as group winners.
Only one substitute bench:
Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann was missing eight important players. Even with the Munich team, who by international comparison already have a rather narrow squad, the substitute bench no longer looks like the Champions League. In addition to the two goalkeepers Christian Früchtl and Sven Ulreich, Marc Roca, Bouna Sarr, Omar Richards and Malik Tillman warmed up under the blankets in the snowstorm in Kiev.
First half:
Nagelsmann recently seemed annoyed by the vaccination discussions about high performers like Joshua Kimmich or Serge Gnabry. What the young coach should be more concerned with internally are the many goals conceded in recent weeks. His team had to accept 13 goals in five competitive games. The game in Kiev was not enough to close the problem areas, the relegated bottom of the table Dynamo came up with some scoring chances. Noticeable: On Bavaria's right defense, the counter-protection did not always work, in central defense the assignment was occasionally incorrect - all known problems. Nevertheless, it was enough to lead 2-0 at half-time, alongside Lewandowski Kingsley Coman (42nd) met.
With vaccination and gang:
The Bavarians have been in the Ukrainian capital since Monday. This did not protect them from vaccination headlines. During the day of the match, various media reported an alleged rethinking of some members of the gang unwilling to vaccinate. Shortly before kick-off, a »kicker« report followed, according to which Jamal Musiala and Gnabry are said to have already received their first vaccination. Sports director Hasan Salihamidžić resisted commenting on the topic with his hands and feet at the DAZN streaming service: "Would have, would be, if is not an issue today." But then again tomorrow.
Second half:
Sarr (46th), Roca (67th), Tillman (85th, for the ailing Tanguy Nianzou) and Richards (87th) came into play, the defensive performance of the guests did not improve. Nagelsmann's demanding voice could be heard all the time, Bayern have the right to want to win every game. In fact, the success came after Denys Garmash's (70th) hit. Manuel Neuer, who had already thwarted a big chance in the 47th minute, saved a shot from Serhiy Sydorchuk (74th) and was lucky that the Ukrainians did not pursue it resolutely. In stoppage time, Neuer saw a long-range shot clapped against the outside post.
How it goes on:
Interesting days and weeks await Bayern.
The vaccination issue will remain, even if some or all of the quarantine quintet can be immunized for a short time.
As fully vaccinated - and therefore no longer obliged to go into isolation as a contact person - the professionals will only be considered after the second vaccination.
Gnabry could be the exception; one dose should be enough for him because he has survived an infection.
In terms of sport, the home game against Arminia Bielefeld on Saturday is another mandatory task, a week later the top game in Dortmund will be played.
By then, at the latest, Nagelsmann wants to build on Kimmich and Gnabry again.
