Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies: "Robert Lewandowski is always doing something extra to improve his game"
Canada’s Alphonso Davies has revealed how he is learning what it takes to be a better player from Bayern Munich teammate Robert Lewandowski.
Davies, 18, made his first Bundesliga start in Bayern’s 2-1 win over Union Berlin, and had a big hand in an historic goal for Lewandowski.
The former Vancouver Whitecaps starlet’s driving run from left-back opened the door for the Bayern No.9 to score for a Bundesliga-record ninth consecutive match to start a season, and take his league tally for the current campaign to 13 goals.
Watch: Davies lauds Lewandowski
"As you can see, Lewandowski is scoring goals and that’s what you want as a striker," Davies told bundesliga.com after making his 11th Bundesliga appearance since joining Bayern in January 2019.
"I think he’s an outstanding player and there’s not much to be said about him that’s not been said already. As a teammate, he’s humble and wants to work hard. Every day in training he’s always doing something extra to improve his game."
Lewandowski’s committed approach is clearly rubbing off on Davies. The 17-time Canada international covered 6.7 miles against Union - only three Bayern players ran harder - whilst winning more of his attempted challenges (19) than anyone on the pitch at the Allianz Arena.
There was also an element of returning the favour about Davies’ role in Lewandowski’s milestone goal. Davies made his own bit of history as Bayern’s first scorer born in the 2000s and the club’s youngest in almost 20 years with his maiden Bundesliga strike in a 6-0 win against Mainz last March. The chance presented itself after Mainz goalkeeper Florian Müller could only parry an effort from Lewandowski.
"I try and speak with Alphonso a lot," Lewandowski told fcbayern.tv earlier this year. "For him I know that’s very important, that he feels comfortable and I want to help him. Of course, he’s very young, but I think he’ll be a great player."
Davies, who turns 19 on 2 November, could make his 13th senior competitive appearance for Bayern when the record champions take on second-tier Bochum in the DFB Cup second round on Tuesday.
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