BY ALAN TEMPLE – Capital City Press
Germany legend Philipp Lahm watched Robert Lewandowski rip up the record books by netting five goals in nine minutes, before telling him: “You should have scored seven!”
Lewandowski delivered an ominous reminder of his ability to Scotland on Tuesday evening by producing a five-star showing against shell-shocked Wolfsburg.
The Poland captain, who will lead the line for his nation at Hampden on October 8 in a crucial Euro 2016 qualifier, entered the fray at half-time with Bayern Munich 1-0 down and proceeded to score in minutes 51, 52, 55, 57 and 60.
It was the first time a player has scored five times in one Bundesliga match since Michael Tonnies in 1991 – and Lewandowski’s most prolific outing in a single fixture.
However, World Cup winner and Bayern icon Lahm was in a more critical mood.
Lahm joked: “I have been playing football for a few years now and I have never seen anything like that. However, you have to remain critical – he really could have scored seven.
“He missed two good chances and I have to rub those squandered opportunities under his nose. That must not happen!”
Lewandowski was left speechless by his own performance, insisting the game was “crazy”.
He said: “I just shot and did not think much about what was happening. Five goals is an incredible evening.
“It was crazy. After the third and fourth goal I quickly looked at the video screen and thought: “Oh!”
“Pep Guardiola did not have to say anything, I knew what I had to do. I have never scored five before but if things are working for you, you have to try to go on and score more goals.”
Bayern boss Guardiola added: “People are asking me what happened, and I’m answering: “I have no idea!”
“Sometimes, we cannot describe it. I have never experienced such a situation before, neither as player nor as coach.”