Van der Vaart finishes ‘Wöbertje’ after historic hat trick Lewandowski


Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 10:05 PM• Dominic Mostert • Last update: 22:08

Robert Lewandowski made history on Tuesday evening. The attacker scored three times in the first 23 minutes of playing time during Bayern Munich – Red Bull Salzburg, the earliest hat-trick ever in the Champions League. The previous record was held by Marco Simone on behalf of AC Milan against Rosenborg BK (24 minutes in 1996). Rafael van der Vaart is particularly critical of the role that Maximilian Wöber played around Lewandowski’s goals.

At halftime, Bayern led 4-0. Salzburg was crippled before the first two goals by fouls by Maximilian Wöber, who twice misled the agile Lewandowski and initiated penalties. Lewandowski successfully turned away from Wöber in the penalty area, who pulled on the brake. Both times, referee Clément Turpin pointed to the penalty spot, although the second time it took some time before the referee realized that the violation had been committed inside the penalty area.

The first time it was immediately clear that a penalty had to follow: Lewandowski beautifully received a cross from Coman, turned away and was torpedoed. “Let’s say that Wöber did not have his best day. This is so stupid. Lewandowski is a bit lucky in his assumption. Then you have to let him go, it is no different,” says Van der Vaart. Ziggo Sports† Wöber committed a foul; Lewandowski hit the left corner. After twenty minutes, the defender again attacked the Pole at the sixteen-meter line and again Lewandowski opted for the left corner, this time after a hop.

“With the second penalty, Wöber actually makes a classic defender mistake. He is too late again. With such a smart striker you know he will do this. It is just a penalty,” says Van der Vaart. “Lewandowski shoots them well of course. But it was very poorly defended, a bit youth football-like. Then just let him shoot and hope he misses.” Wöber also played a remarkable role in Lewandowski’s 3-0. The defender lost a header in midfield, rushed back to his own goal and held back after a pass from Thomas Müller to Lewandowski. Goalkeeper Philipp Köhn was unable to repair the damage, however, and Lewandowski eventually scored.

“Wöbertje loses another header match. What happens after that is actually unbelievable,” notes Van der Vaart during the break of the match. “He holds back, but I think he can shoot the ball away. It wasn’t a high flyer at Ajax. Now he plays in the Champions League, but he just can’t do it that much. You notice that in these kinds of matches. the keeper calls out, but I would still throw the ball away if you have it in front of your left leg.”