"Lewandowski in the form of his life" - Kovac

Lewandowski has scored 18 goals in all competitions already this season, and will break former Borussia Dortmund teammate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's record for goals in consecutive games to start a Bundesliga campaign if he adds to his 12 strikes against Union Berlin on Saturday.

"For me, Lewandowski is in the form of his life, playing his best season yet," Kovac told media at his customary pre-match press conference on Friday. 'He likes being so well regarded by the club. Physically, he’s in top shape. That enables him to focus in front of goal."

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It shows. So razor-sharp is Lewandowski’s focus, the Pole currently ranks as the leading scorer across Europe’s top five leagues, his 12 Bundesliga goals putting him comfortably ahead of Lazio’s Ciro Immobile (nine) and the likes of  Premier League pair Sergio Aguero and Tammy Abraham (both eight) after eight matches.

The 30-year-old also leads the way for most league goals in 2019 (24), and most goals in all competitions this calendar year (36). Barcelona’s Lionel Messi is second in both categories on 33 and 23 goals respectively, followed by Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe.

"He’s the one keeping us in the mix at the top," Kovac continued, Lewandowski having accounted for more than half of Bayern’s 22 Bundesliga goals so far this season. “He’s so experienced in that respect. It’s not like he’s a 20-year-old, who needs time to mature. He’s a fantastic player. We’re so happy to have him at the club."

Lewandowski, who is on the 30-man shortlist for the 2019 Ballon d’Or, is enjoying his 10th season of Bundesliga football, and sixth with Bayern. The four-time Bundesliga Torschützenkönig is the German top flight’s record foreign marksman and sits fourth in the division’s all-time scoring charts on 214 goals in 298 appearances. He is bidding to become the first player since legendary Bayern striker Gerd Müller (1971/72) to score 40 or more goals in a single season.