Krzysztof Piatek: “I always watch and learn from Robert Lewandowski”
New Hertha Berlin signing Krzysztof Piatek says he tries to soak up all he can from Bayern Munich star and fellow Poland forward Robert Lewandowski during international breaks in a bid to keep improving.
Piatek arrived in Berlin from AC Milan in January as one of a number of high-profile recruits alongside Santiago Ascacibar, Matheus Cunha and Lucas Tousart, and made his debut for Jürgen Klinsmann’s side in the 0-0 draw at home to Schalke on Matchday 20.
And while the 24-year-old was brought in to add greater firepower to a relegation-threatened side that has scored just 24 goals this season – only Union Berlin and Fortuna Düsseldorf have fewer – he readily admits to looking up to compatriot Lewandowski.
“He is the best striker in Germany and one of the best in the world,” said Piatek, who consulted former Bundesliga players Hakan Calhangolu (Bayer Leverkusen) and Ricardo Rodriguez (Wolfsburg) in Milan about the league prior to his switch.
“When I train with Robert in the national team I always watch him: I watch everything he does and see what he does best. I speak with him all the time because I want to learn, and I hope I will learn all the time.”
He could hardly have chosen a better role model than the man seven years his senior. Lewandowski is top of the Bundesliga scoring charts with 22 goals for the campaign, is the league’s all-time foreign-born highest scorer (224 and counting), has broken a seemingly never-ending list of records, as well as winning trophies and accolades galore.
Watch: Piatek reflects on his Bundesliga debut
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Now playing in the same league in the same country, Piatek will have the chance to see how he measures up to his compatriot.
Not that Klinsmann is in any doubt about his new No.7. “A striker of his calibre can change a match,” he enthused.
“When he came on against Schalke our play shifted more towards the front because he can hold the ball up, he causes problems for the opposition. He’s a player who attracts so much attention that defenders don’t want to just leave him unmarked. So it’s very important for us to get him into the game.
“He’s a complete forward. He has only one goal in mind: scoring. He’s both footed, he’s good in the air, he chases people and he makes it very difficult for defenders.”
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