Bayern´s hat-trick hero Lewandowski hailed as Bundesliga great by Nagelsmann

Bayern Munich head coach Julian Nagelsmann lauded Robert Lewandowski, labelling him a Bundesliga great following his hat-trick in the 5-0 rout of Hertha Berlin.

Lewandowski was in ruthless form on Saturday, scoring three goals to lead Bayern to a crushing win at home to Hertha.

The Poland international, who has been linked with a move away, netted in his 13th successive Bundesliga match – only the late Gerd Muller (16, 1969-70) found the net in more consecutive league games than Lewandowski.

Lewandowski surpassed 300 goals for Bayern, reaching 301 in just his 333rd appearance for the German giants. It is a mark only surpassed by Muller (566 goals in 607 matches) in the club’s history.

The 33-year-old forward (15) is second in the list of hat-trick scorers, behind only Muller (32).

13 – Robert Lewandowski has scored in each of his last 13 Bundesliga games, setting up a new personal best. Only Gerd Müller scored in more consecutive games in Germany’s top-flight. Run. #FCBBSC pic.twitter.com/seJYpDeZYq

— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) August 28, 2021

“He is definitely one of the best in Bundesliga history,” Nagelsmann told reporters post-match.

“You would have to go through many of them, the league has been around for quite a while. But he is very consistent, has a great ability to get himself between the lines in possession. That’s what makes him hard to catch.

“He’s not just someone who waits for the balls up front, he participates in the game and creates a numerical advantage in the box. He is really dangerous because he can finish with all body parts really well.”

“He does that with quality and has a great character. If you win so much like he did in the last two years and are still as hungry from the first game, if you have these transfer rumours revolving around you, which is normal for him, and then still perform as hungry as he does, this is extraordinary.

“No question. He’s probably top of the top.”

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GOAT life pic.twitter.com/zEWrLRRfJm

— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) August 28, 2021

Teenage sensation and Germany international Jamal Musiala was also on target for Bayern after Thomas Muller opened the scoring inside six minutes against Hertha.

On the 18-year-old Musiala, Nagelsmann added: “The best thing is his modesty and humility. He’s not one to over-celebrate his performances but wants to keep going. I think this is a prerequisite for a great career if he keeps that modesty.

“He has incredible qualities in one-on-one situations and a good finish. This is hard to find in today’s youth teams: players with a certain football ground mentality. He has that and I don’t want him to lose it but my biggest task will be making him keep it.”

Bayern are unbeaten in 29 Bundesliga home games (W24, D5) – since moving to the Allianz Arena in 2005, the club have only had a longer streak without defeat in top-flight home games from March 2016 to April 2018 (38 fixtures).