Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 9y

Bayern Munich stars hail 'world-class striker' Robert Lewandowski

Bayern Munich players and officials have praised striker Robert Lewandowski after his two goals in the 4-0 win over Hannover secured a four-point lead over TSG Hoffenheim and Borussia Monchengladbach going into the international break.

- Toe Poke: Lewandowski takes a celebratory selfie

Poland international Lewandowski, 26, joined Bayern from Borussia Dortmund on a free transfer in the summer.

But despite being praised as "one of the best three strikers in the world" by Germany coach Joachim Low, some critics have suggested that he has been struggling to adapt to coach Pep Guardiola's style of football.

After Lewandowski scored his 77th and 78th Bundesliga goals in 138 league games, Bayern CEO Kar-Heinz Rummenigge told the club's official website: "Robert had a great game, not just because he scored twice but also for the way he took his goals like a world-class striker."

Winger Arjen Robben -- who scored the other two against Hannover --joined the praise, saying: "Robert is a very good player. He doesn't just hang about up front and score, he joins in the team play. He's a terrific footballer and it's a pleasure playing alongside him."

Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer told football magazine kicker: "He's always shown good performances in training and in matches.

"It's not that easy playing against five at the back and being up front all alone. That's why he sometimes is not in the match that well. But he's there now.

"He's one of the best attackers in the world. And once he starts rolling, it is really hard to stop him."

#INSERT type:image caption:Lewandowski's two goals helped Bayern to a four-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga. END#

Kicker, which has criticised Lewandowski in the past, said he was "adapting to the Bayern style more and more" and had "learnt the formula."

"Every player needs time to settle at a new club," Lewandowski said. "You never expect him to play like he's been doing for many years right from the first day. I'm happy."

Bayern have not conceded a goal in their last seven competitive matches, and Rummenigge told the Bayern website: "It's all going wonderfully well at the moment. We need to work hard and keep it up for as long as possible."

Guardiola, meanwhile, said the best was yet to come from his side, explaining: "We're playing more football and running less. It's still only October. It would be boring if we were already at our peak, and we can still improve.

"Four goals are OK. I hope that we will score more in the future."

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