Lewandowski the perfect number nine, says Jancker

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has been described as “the perfect number nine” by former Germany forward Carsten Jancker.

The Poland international took his goal tally to 25 in all competitions this season when he struck the equaliser in the dying seconds of Bayern’s 1-1 Bundesliga draw with Hertha Berlin last week.

Lewandowski also scored one and set up another in the 5-1 thrashing of Arsenal in the Champions League last-16 first leg, meaning he has contributed to a total of seven goals in as many appearances in the competition.

And Jancker, who won four Bundesliga titles and the Champions League in a distinguished Bayern career, believes Lewandowski is peerless in his position.

“He’s perfect. He’s at the right age and if you ask me he’s a perfect nine,” Jancker told the club’s official website.

“First and foremost he scores goals, especially the opener. Not just the fifth or sixth; he does score them because he’s always fired up for goals, but he often scores the opener.

“Besides, he rarely squanders possession and has a superb understanding of the game. He often sets up his team-mates and provides assists. Also, he isn’t exactly slow.”

Jancker claimed a Champions League winners’ medal in 2001, having been part of the Bayern side that suffered an agonising 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in the final of 1999.

The 42-year-old admits that the loss at Camp Nou, which saw United claim an unprecedented treble and deny Bayern the same achievement in the process, still haunts him.

“It was one of the most bitter experiences I’ve ever had in sport. But it’s easier to talk about if you win it eventually!” he said.

“Had it worked in 1999, we’d have won the competition twice. We always wanted more and still more. If you watch the match from Barcelona today you still can’t explain what happened there.

“Sometimes you just can’t explain football. It really hurt back then, but I guess it was just meant to be.”