By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Bayern Munich are trying their utmost to motivate their star striker Robert Lewandowski after the Pole suffered a disappointing World Cup in Russia and an unsuccessful attempt to join a top international club.
The 29-year-old Pole must feel flattered by the constant sweet-talking. He is being highly praised every day either by Bayern coach Niko Kovac or one of his teammates. Even the club management's decision not to allow him to leave can be taken as a positive sign: they rely on his skills, especially in their quest to win the 2018/2019 UEFA Champions League.
Currently, Bayern and Lewandowski resemble an old couple trying to get over marital difficulties.
Lewandowski has accepted the Bavarians' insistence that he fulfils his contract that runs until 2021 and is trying to make the best of it. Both sides have the same aims and want to win the Champions League.
Bayern know just how expensive it would be to find a suitable replacement in the current transfer market. The striker has to come to terms with the fact that he failed in his attempt to arouse the interest of top clubs, after he produced poor performances in crucial games in last season's Champions League campaign.
Lewandowski has scored 154 goals in 196 games for Bayern but hasn't yet been able to meet expectations on European club football's biggest stage over the past few years.
Both parties are united by the saying "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush".
Bayern intend to placate Lewandowski's dissatisfaction and frustration. This "therapy" is designed to turn things around in the Champions League and make Lewandowski score in the crunch games.
Until then, the aim is for the Pole to keep his rhythm. He has got off to a good start by scoring three goals in the German Super Cup that acts as a curtain-raiser to the new season.
2014 World Cup winner Thomas Muller called the top striker "irreplaceable and important", adding "that's why he is not allowed to leave." Sporting Director Hasan Salihamidzic emphasized: "For me, he's one of the best in the world, if not the world's best striker."
For now, Lewandowski has to accept that other strikers such as Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United) and Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City) are making a case for a new generation of strikers. The trio are dominating headlines next to Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Neymar and Kylian Mbappe (both Paris Saint Germain) and Mohamed Salah (Liverpool).
Over the last few years, a determined Lewandowski has strived to win Europe's scoring crown and its top club competition. When Bayern won the treble in 2013, the Pole wore the yellow shirt of their Champions League final opponents Borussia Dortmund.
One of the reasons Lewandowski has been agitating for a move is that Bayern have failed to win the Champions League since then. The Pole has accused the club of not buying good enough players in order to achieve their objective.
Lewandowski's new agent Pini Zahavi recently announced that his client needs a new challenge in order to improve. According to reports, Lewandowski hired him to arrange a future without Bayern, with reports suggesting that Real Madrid were interested in the Pole.
The transfer window in Germany remains open until the end of August and joining a new club is still possible. But at present, it seems as if Lewandowski has changed his plans and has adjusted his demands to fit the circumstances.
Fans and teammates alike are eager to see if the turnaround pays off and leads to Bayern winning the biggest crown in club football. Regardless, it seems that this is Lewandowski's last chance to meet his ambitions and see himself at the head of a clutch of top European strikers.
