Player Focus: Should Lewandowski Instantly Displace Mandzukic?
At the beginning of the year, the worst kept secret in football was announced as Bayern Munich confirmed that striker Robert Lewandowski would join them at the end of the season. The news will have come as a blow to Borussia Dortmund, who 6 months earlier had lost Mario Götze to their rivals for a fee of €37m.
With Pep Guardiola succeeding Jupp Heynckes over the summer, it was undeniable that the strongest team in Europe was going to improve and the arrival of Lewandowski would all but confirm Bayern as the best on the continent. However, one player who will undoubtedly suffer following the signing of Pole is Mario Mandzukic.
The Croat signed for the Bundesliga champions in 2012 and impressed under Heynckes, netting 18 in the league and Champions League in his debut campaign. He’s since continued this form under Guardiola, with the frontman having now scored 33 times in 59 appearances in the Bundesliga and Europe.
Mandzukic’s performances for the German outfit have led to questions as to whether they need to sign Lewandowski at all. Rumours were abound over the summer that he would join Bayern and while the reports would have unsettled any player, Mandzukic ensured his form didn’t dip, scoring 13 goals and registering 3 assists in the league this term.
His average WhoScored rating has risen from 7.47 to 7.58, indicating that Guardiola is bringing the best in of the 27-year-old. Having adopted a 4-1-4-1 formation following his appointment, the wealth of creative options available to the Bayern boss means it is little shock that a player of Mandzukic’s calibre is thriving up front.
The 4 WhoScored strengths he has developed - ‘aerial duels’, ‘headed attempts’, ‘holding onto the ball’ and ‘finishing’ - are the ideal blend of qualities that any player operating as the lone frontman must have and it’s fair to say he is utilising these attributes. His approach will also profit those behind him, with Götze, Toni Kroos and Franck Ribéry all goalscoring threats from midfield that flourish with a player of Mandzukic’s ilk leading the line.
However, one critique that weighs against him is his lack of versatility in attack. While the player is capable of finishing chances and holding up the ball to bring others into play, Mandzukic’s style doesn’t necessarily match the requirements of Guardiola. The 43-year-old prefers his team to press the opposition high up the pitch and while Mandzukic can perform this, Lewandowski does so to a much higher standard.
The 25-year-old has won possession in the attacking third the most times in the Bundesliga this season (28) and this is a huge asset to Dortmund. This factor of his game would have attracted Guardiola to the striker as he aims to bring in the right man to defend from the front, with that seemingly not Mandzukic, who has won the ball in attacking positions significantly less (7).
Furthermore, while the current Bayern striker has exhibited his scoring ability, Lewandowski is even better in this regard, with his 14 goals topped by no player in Germany’s top tier this term. With 6 assists to Mandzukic’s 3, the current Dortmund ace has not only netted more than his future teammate, but is able to provide more regularly, this coming despite Bayern (61) having scored 10 more goals than Dortmund (51) in the Bundesliga this term.
Many are of the opinion that Lewandowski is the final piece needed for Guardiola’s jigsaw. While there is no doubt that Mandzukic is a very good player, it’s fair to say he isn’t quite the match for the Spaniard’s project at the Allianz Arena. Signing one of the best strikers in the world will improve the all round quality of Bayern, making them an even more penetrative attacking unit in the process.
Lewandowski’s arrival will also allow him and Götze to renew the attacking partnership that saw Dortmund secure back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012. However, in selling both of their previous prized assets, it’s unlikely Jurgen Klopp’s side will challenge for the championship at all for the foreseeable future and the power of Bayern means it’s hard to see any team offering a genuine threat to their place at the summit of Germany’s top tier.
Despite Mandzukic’s notable displays this term, the fact is Lewandowski is an upgrade on the Croat. While it’s unfair to cast him from the starting XI, the Poland international is better suited to the system under Guardiola and will ensure Bayern maintain their stranglehold on the Bundesliga and continue to exert their dominance in Europe too.
Do you think Lewandowski should instantly displace Mandzukic next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
I think it's better if Mandzukic plays in the starting XI Lewa on bench until he gets used to Bayern's play by coming sub and then it would be according to Pep to keep Lewa or Mandzukic in the starting XI, somewhat similiar to Pedro and Sanchez in Barcelona.
Even I would have that accuracy and conversion rate if I'd play for Bayern. Come on everyone can score easy goals in that perfect machine! In a comparison statistics help but numbers aren't directly comparable, the background must be analysed. I prefer judging on abilities than numbers, a simple tap in counts like a 40 yard rocket in the top corner but obviously is not the same.
I think no, Mario Mandzukic still be main frontman of Bayern. But if he's didn't give his best perform, Robert will treats on behind.
To WhoScored.com doesn't your stats graphic clearly show Mandzukic to actually be the better goal scorer? Yes he has 1 measly goal less , but with less starts and way less shots! Looks to me that you found that Mario has better accuracy and much better conversion rate, no? Granted if you watched all of their goals you would not say that Mario's goals are as spectacular as ones Lewandowski is capable of; but the stats, your stats, indicate Mario is better in the goal scoring aspect All that being said, I still feel Lewandowski is the better overall player and is scarier for opponents
Lewandowski misses to many chances, and he will have significantly less chances himself than in Dortmund
Lewandowski should go straight into the starting 11 at bayern munich. He has proven to be more of a presence up front for dortmund, lethal in front of goal and his contribution to winning the ball back is something that bayern would like to have
Gomez is another overrated player
Mandzukic was in 1st eleven when Mario Gomez was in Bayern why would Lewandowski would be now in front of him if Gomez didn't had chance to play..?
In my opinion Lewandowski is better player than Mario and he will win starting XI. Maybe not instantly, but eventually I am sure of that. He has got everything: strenght, speed, technique, ambitious and intelligence. According to UEFA - 5th best player 2012/2013.
Guardiola is a professional who does what he knows is the best for his team to win at specific situation whithout any emotional preference one player over other. To compare one player VS other is for box matches, not a team sport as footbal. To say one player is an upgrade on the other is missing the point, their productiveness is similar, but are a different kind of players for different situations. Finding two very similar players and than to compare them should be very rare, as each player is unique. Such epic comparisons one over or versus other are a myth, they are done to provoke emotions in supporters. I am from Croatia from the same city as Mario but wish him all the best as for any other player. My opinion is that he should also act professionally, like his environment in Munich - after a two years of his great contibution to the succes for his team he should change the team environment to experience something new. Besides he is not 21 and doesn't need this kind of pressure.
@iknowyouknow you didn't write anything rational and I don't see reason to discuss with you, because you're propably idiot (I assume it reading your idiotical criticism of Guardiola system)
Mandzukic is an average player. He's lucky to play for Bayern with plenty of possibilities to score in every game. Kiessling is far better than mandzukic, and obviously lewa is too.
Zootball - that's your argument? go out and play in sand with other kids
As we all can see Lewandowski has much more turnovers in the game also he's much dispossessed then Mandzukic,you really think he'll suite Guardiola's style,don't think so...In the mean time Mandzukic aerial strenght allows Guardiola's side to have one more option available(long balls) as his alot better than Lewa in the air.To conclude Lewa is without a doubt a great and skillfull player BUT Bayern already have a similar player(Thomas Muller - maybe he'll leave Munich and make way for Lewa),and they should have a various way to find to the opposite half so I'll have to go with Mandzukic
@iknowyouknow you must be retarded to say "In compare to lewand. Mario is genius." Mandzukic is very good, but Lewandowskis certainly better...not to mention that he's younger too
Something more, author of this article didn't have clue about other players assisting to Mario. For example, Robben is known as player who will never give you ball even in 100% chance for you and that is happening. Only Ribery was player who was assisting for real for Mario. But, anyway i would be happy Mario goes in Real Madrid or some other top club and show his full power. I bet Bayern will have big problems. Guradiola doesn't need striker at all..
No matter how author of this article is fan of lewand. Mario Mandzukic is far better striker. Before guradiola there was Bayern that was unbeatable. Guardiola is just making his "system" that is not in place for bundesliga. You can play that kind of football in England or Spain but in Bundesliga there is no such style of football not because they don't know to play that way but because they don't like to be boring. We've seen Arsenal and their ball keeping 90 minutes as Barcelona..that's boring and even that Guradiola is having every little problem to play that in bundesliga. I would say that Guardiola is at wrong place at wrong time. Bayern was far better last year without guradiola. Now it is all about keeping ball in middle and passing ball till opponent make mistake. If anyone of you love football you probably love to see action not one team game. Mandzukic in 90 minutes gets 2-3 balls from his mates because of guardiola foot. In compare to lewand. Mario is genius.
Well Borsuiia will find the way to compete with Bayern. U (@Ben McAleer) spuds fan and epl fan as whole know nothing abt Bubdesliga and itdynamic and Im sure kloop will find the way. Good article highlighting Manzukic quality and importance of Lewandowski. But u forgot mention one thing Lewandowski scored playing more games whereas Manzukic scored playinbg less games.
Mandzukic is king