Lewandowski Master Class Serves Timely Reminder to Pep Guardiola in Bayern Rout

Although he came on a free transfer, Bayern Munich's prestige signing of last summer was Robert Lewandowski. The Polish striker came from Borussia Dortmund having scored over 100 goals in his final three seasons at the Signal-Iduna Park, his arrival in Munich having effectively forced fan favorite Mario Mandzukic out the door.

Yet more than half a year into his Bayern career, Lewandowski has left plenty to be desired. Heading into Saturday's match against Paderborn, the 26-year-old's statistics were passable—he had scored 11 times in 29 matches. But his goals were not often critical to earning results. When he did produce, it was often in instances when the goals weren't much needed.

At Dortmund, he was a real leader, a player upon whom the team could rely to take matters into his own hands. His four-goal showing against Real Madrid is the most obvious instance, but there are many others. His outstanding solo effort against Hannover last spring is another prime example. He just hasn't shown that kind of quality at Bayern.

Lewandowski's benching for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk cast serious doubt over Pep Guardiola's regard of his star striker, fueled by well-informed but at times sensationalist German tabloid Bild (in German, with subscription required). Lewandowski was fully fit, yet kept out of the starting lineup in Bayern's most important game since the winter break.

Bayern struggled in L'viv, ending the match with a 0-0 draw after taking just five shots overall. And on Saturday, Lewandowski was restored to the starting lineup. He responded to his benching as best he could, scoring twice in the first half to set his club on course for a 6-0 win.

His opener was well taken as he controlled a ball over the top before rifling home, the second a clinically taken poacher's finish as he redirected a low cross into the net from close range.

For Lewandowski, the timing was perfect. He had a point to prove to Guardiola, and he took a leadership role. In Bundesliga play this season, Bayern's main source of inspiration has been Arjen Robben. However, the Warsaw native was decidedly the man of the match in Paderborn.

Bayern can expect to win the Bundesliga title by a mile and will have limited resistance in the DFB-Pokal. And they were by all accounts expected to achieve huge success on the domestic front. Guardiola's success (or failure) will depend on performance in the Champions League, and in order to truly contend for the title, he will likely need Lewandowski in good form. After all, Bayern's only other natural striker is 36-year-old Claudio Pizarro.

Some may be quick to point out that Guardiola won the Champions League while also championing the false-nine tactic at Barcelona, but when he won it in 2009 he had two natural strikers in Samuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry (albeit with the latter used more on the wing); in the second instance, he had a natural striker in David Villa used on the wing to support a false nine (Lionel Messi) who had arguably the best individual season European football had and has ever seen.

Thomas Muller (used in L'viv) is no Messi and lacks the sheer physicality of Lewandowski. His greatest skill, slipping into space while his more flashy teammates distract opponents, is lost when he's used in the center of attack and the spotlight is on him.

Although possible, it will be very difficult for Bayern to win the Champions League without a reliable, out-and-out center forward.

It's very rare for a team to even reach the final without a quality striker. Whether he likes it or not, Guardiola may have to depend on Lewandowski. That, of course, requires that the 26-year-old plays, not only against weaker Bundesliga teams like Paderborn but also on the biggest stage.

He still has a long way to go until he inspires confidence as he did at Dortmund, but Saturday's performance was certainly a step in the right direction.

@Mr_Bundesliga