Relentless Lewandowski has 'Bayern DNA' in bucketloads

BERLIN－Skeptics who thought "Bayern DNA" was merely a marketing slogan might be reconsidering their opinion after the Munich club's stunning 2020.

A trophy haul consisting of the Champions League, Bundesliga, German Cup, and the German and European Super Cups over the past 12 months tells you all you need to know about the Bavarian club's resilience, insatiable hunger for success, determination, and unbreakable will to battle on despite previous achievements.

These are all traits associated with the fabled "Bayern gene" that the club's officials and players espouse with such pride.

After amassing a total of 30 Bundesliga titles and six European Cups, perhaps Bayern could be forgiven for becoming indifferent to its serial success.

However, Robert Lewandowski's comments following Saturday's 2-1 victory at Bayer Leverkusen－Bayern's final game of 2020－showed just how much the recent triumphs mean to the club.

"What we have achieved as a team this year is sensational," said the 32-year-old, whose exploits in front of goal last week earned him the FIFA World Player of the Year award ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

"What a year we have had, I hope we will continue to play like this in the new year," added the Pole.

Lewandowski's double against Leverksuen took his tally to 17 goals in 13 league matches. The three points saw Bayern usurp Leverkusen at the top of the table, suggesting complacency won't be a problem for the Bavarians in 2021.

"We haven't had enough after all this," Lewandowski said. "It's not about past success; it's about the future and the titles we want to win. We always want more."

Bayern's brilliance has been punctuated by major disappointments in recent decades. In 1999, the club suffered the devastation of losing the Champions League final to Manchester United in the dying seconds of added time. And in 2012, it was pulverized 5-2 by Borussia Dortmund in the German Cup final as the Black and Yellows completed the domestic double.

Bayern bounced back from both those lows－winning the Champions League in 2001 and 2013, and collecting eight consecutive Bundesliga titles since 2012.

Last season provided its own unique challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but despite a shortened preseason this term, Bayern is yet to buckle under the pressure of its heavy workload.

In the seven games that Hansi Flick's side has gone behind in, it has yet to lose and has taken 15 points from those matches.

"We show that we can take things on the chin and then still invest a lot," said veteran striker Thomas Mueller.

There were some ominous signs, however, for Bayern in the Leverkusen game. Kingsley Coman left the pitch after 32 minutes due to an injury, while winger Leroy Sane continues to struggle for form.

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge even singled out Sane for criticism after the former Manchester City star was withdrawn just half an hour after being introduced as a substitute.

"He hasn't yet really got into the DNA of Bayern. His task now has got to be to make his talent bear fruit," Rummenigge said of Sane.

"I think he has got a good future ahead of him. We're prepared to support any player but we have demands too. He must now take the next step."

Sane, 24, admitted his surprise at being yanked off before the final whistle, telling Bild newspaper: "That is not something that has happened to me before."

Coach Flick is reportedly frustrated with Sane's work rate, so perhaps the Germany international should take some pointers from Lewandowski.

"What makes us successful is that it is a team effort. I'm extremely proud to have been awarded the best-player award, but what we create as a team is of much more value to me," Lewandowski said.

And that, in a nutshell, is pure Bayern DNA.

Xinhua