By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Gerd Mueller's fabulous 40 goals scored in the 1971/72 Bundesliga season seemed a record for eternity. Now it has come under threat by Bayern Munich spearhead Robert Lewandowski.
The Pole is said to be the first able to beat the figure that couldn't be surpassed for over 45 years. Expectations are growing due to his breath-taking performance in the first eight rounds of matches of the 2019/20 season.
The league's four times top-scorer (2014, 2016, 2018, 2019) is the current tableau-leader scoring 12 goals. His cross-competition balance sees him scoring of 18 goals in every of the 13 competitive games, including the German Cup and the Champions League.
He only failed to score in the Super-Cup final in August when Borussia Dortmund outpaced the Bavarians 2-0.
While the race for the 2020 German title comes near a nail-biting issue with the first nine clubs, only two points apart, Lewandowski has his clear advantage over his closest challengers, with second-seated Timo Werner (RB Leipzig) scoring six times and Borussia Dortmund's Paco Alcacer coming in at five goals.
Former Bayern forward Giovane Elber believes the 31-year-old striker is on his way to breaking Mueller's record.
"Until now, I didn't believe this is possible. But I changed my mind due to Robert's amazing performance," the 47-year-old 15-time capped Brazilian said.
"I keep my fingers crossed he stays fit for the rest of the season," Elber said, adding "to lose him would be a significant setback for Bayern."
Lewandowski is the top striker not only in Germany but in Europe as well. No other striker in England, France, Spain, France, and Italy catches up on him with former Dortmund forward Ciro Immobile (Lazio Rome) settling in at 9, followed by Sergio Aguero (Manchester City, 8), Tammy Abraham (FC Chelsea, 8) and Wissam Ben Yedder (AS Monaco, 8).
"He is a bit like me but about ten times better," former German striker legend Miroslav Klose said in a recent interview praising Lewandowski as the most gifted striker.
He is complete in every sense "both-footed, a strong header, and his shots are unique," Germany's World Cup top scorer (16) added.
Lewandowski also seems to gain ground in the Champions League's all-time scoring list. With 58 goals, he overpassed Dutch legend Ruud van Nistelrooy (56), breathing down the neck of Real Madrid's Karim Benzema (60).
Only Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus/127) and Lionel Messi (Barcelona/112) have set marks out of sight ahead of third-ranked, former Real striker Raul (72).
