Bayern Munich Is More Than Just The Lewandowski, Muller show
Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller have been the stars of the show this year for Bayern Munich. However, CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge does not believe that the future success of the team is necessarily dependent on these players.
This past Saturday, Lewandowski and Muller played an instrumental role in turning a 1-0 half-time deficit against Darmstadt into a 3-1 win for Bayern Munich. Lewandowski scored the last goal four minutes before match end, while Mueller struck a goal shortly before that, with his second goal coming from an overhead kick.
This unstoppable duo, often referred to as ‘Mullerdowski’, has now combined for an impressive 39 league goals this year — two goals higher than the current Bundesliga record at this stage of the season, a record that is currently held by Bayern’s Gerd Muller and Uli Hoeness, who combined for 37 during the 1972-73 season.
If ‘Mullerdowski’ is able to strike on 15 more goals this season, they while tie the Bundesliga record for an entire season, held by Edin Dzeko and Grafite, who reached a staggering 54 goals for Wolfsburg in the 2008-09 campaign.
There is no question that Rummenigge has enjoyed watching the duo dominate this season, but he also does not believe that the Bavarian club relies on them.
“It is important what happens around them,” Rummenigge told kicker. “They are set up really well from Douglas Costa, Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery. In our attacking department, everyone is capable of scoring a goal.”
Bayern youngster, Joshua Kimmich, echoed similar sentiments: “What does dependent mean? In the end, it does not matter who scores the goals. But they are both on a roll right now. When I play with Robert or Thomas in training, it is indeed awkward. You can see that it’s extremely difficult against them. You have to be very attentive with the way they move.”
Rummenigge would be foolish to not do everything possible to keep these stars happy with Bayern, however, at the same time, the club has the right pieces around them who are capable of being star players themselves.
It has been amazing to watch Lewandowski and Muller succeed this year, but it has been equally enjoyable to watch how everyone else on the team has elevated their games as well. At the end of the day it is a team game, and the Mullerdowski understands that their teammates have helped but themselves in a position to reach the levels at which they stand.
