By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- RB Leipzig crossing swords with Bayern Munich is not only the Bundesliga's top game, but the duel of two goal-getters who couldn't be more different.
For many, the duel of the league leaders with the runners-up from Bavaria this Saturday evening is the crucial race between the most successful strikers such as 23-year-old Timo Werner and 31-year-old Robert Lewandowski.
Both scored in each of the first three regular season games and both were able to deliver a "three-pack." Lewandowski added six goals to his list with Werner breathing down his neck with five.
The Leipzig forward seems relieved after having extended his contract until 2023.
Fans expect him to be especially motivated as he was in negotiations with Bayern about a move this summer, but the Bavarians let him down upsetting the forward.
Werner said he is regretting to have spoken that openly about his wish to join Bayern and is insisting things are part of the past. Comments delivered from his entourage tell a different story.
Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann is convinced his performer is back to best shape adding: "Timo can hurt Bayern a lot."
But does the 32-year-old's prediction indicate the strikers are on the same level?
Werner is insisting he is not, adding there is a lot to follow when it comes to his Munich rival. "He is not only a weapon when it comes to goal scoring out of the game, but using dead-ball situations. Most forget about his sovereignty shooting penalties," the Stuttgart born forward commented.
Werner doesn't intend to open fire on his opponent and start a challenge for this season's scorer crown. He admits not yet to be world-class. "People even talk about world-class when it comes to Lewandowski. For me he surely is," he said, adding he still needs to go a long way to reach the level of the Pole, who recently signed a new contract with Bayern until 2023.
Both strikers took a scoring-break in internationals while in their country's shirt last week. While Lewandowski promised to "play better than ever" in the upcoming weeks said Werner he took his break last week and intends to continue scoring in his clubs' outfit.
Football fans have always enjoyed watching various types of strikers. Werner and Lewandowski stand for entirely different approaches.
Werner doesn't count too much on combination game skills and continuous presence in the box. His most efficient tool is his outstanding speed. In his three years at RB, he scored 55 goals in 96 league games.
He seems to favour a quick start having scored 20 goals in the first 15 minutes of the first and second half. But while it takes 139 minutes for Werner to score is Lewandowski celebrating a goal every 99 minutes.
The Polish team captain is the man for the second half as he scored most of his goals in the first 15 minutes after half time and the last 15 minutes ahead of the final whistle (54).
While Bayern's spearhead can count on a wide range of experience then Werner is one of Germany's most promising talents and still needs to prove his quality over a more extended period. He perfectly fits Leipzig's fast-forwarding football but needs space to perform.
Nagelsmann called him one of his game-deciders and key-figures. "We are pleased to have him around, and I am sure he will be successful over the next years helping us to win some silverware," the RB coach underlined.
To score against Bayern and outpace Bayern legend Lewandowski could well be the first benchmark delivered by the youngster.
