In the Bundesliga championship duel between his two former clubs, Robert Lewandowski's heart beats only for FC Bayern. "I've heard a lot of people in Germany or in Europe say: It would be better if Dortmund won the Bundesliga championship. But I'm always for Bayern Munich and that's why I'm not in favour of it," said the Pole, who moved from Munich to FC Barcelona before this season, on Sport1: "I always keep my fingers crossed for the boys that they win and show that they are the best."
But Lewandowski also expects a "very exciting" season finale, even if the Munich team is "now on the right track". There was "a lot of speculation" during the season, "a lot of people are talking about the situation," said the 34-year-old.
"Bavaria a step ahead"
The former Bayern and Dortmund striker continued: "I know it's one point difference and there are still three games to go. If someone makes a mistake, then the championship will probably be decided." The Munich team are now "on the right track", said the Pole: "Of course, a lot has happened in recent weeks that can have an impact on the head, but I think that Bayern is now a bit ahead."
With three games to go, Munich leads the table with 65 points, with Dortmund (64) just behind. On Saturday (15:30 CET CET in the F.A.Z. live ticker for the Bundesliga and on Sky), FC Bayern will host FC Schalke 04, and in the evening BVB will face Borussia Mönchengladbach (18:30 CET in the F.A.Z. live ticker for the Bundesliga and on Sky).
Lewandowski's connection to the German record champions is still strong despite the big discussions surrounding his transfer to Barcelona last summer. "Everything I've experienced and achieved at Bayern Munich remains in my heart. I will always be grateful," said Lewandowski, who played in Munich for eight years. In 2014, he joined Bayern on a free transfer after four years at Borussia Dortmund.
He himself is doing "great" at FC Barcelona, the upcoming championship title with the Catalans is a "first step towards perhaps winning even more next season". After the "many problems" at the club, the title is also "very important" for Barça's future, the striker stressed: "I think it's getting better now."
In any case, German goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen would have played a major role in the championship, Lewandowski said: "I don't know how many games he has played to nil, but this is his season." Ter Stegen has kept a clean sheet 25 times this season, setting a club record. "I hope he can enjoy what he has achieved after the season," said Lewandowski: "I know how hard he works for this success." FC Barcelona leads the Spanish league with 82 points, Atlético Madrid (69) had at best a theoretical chance of winning the title with five rounds to go.