Robert Lewandowski (foreground, with ball) shutterstock

Poland’s Robert Lewandowski put aside his recent Bundesliga problems to help earn Borussia Dortmund a 2-2 draw away to Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League second round last week.

Mr Lewandowski had been sent off four days earlier after kicking Norwegian international Per Skjelbred during Dortmund’s game with Hamburger SV. The Pole opened the scoring before his side eventually went down 4-1. He has since received a three-match ban, which means he will miss his team’s upcoming games with Mönchengladbach and Hannover 96.
But the turmoil surrounding his suspension seemed to have no effect on the Warsaw-born footballer as he maintained his goal-scoring form in Ukraine, capitalizing on a defensive mix-up to score his 21st goal of the season.

Dortmund had gone behind on Darijo Srna’s stunning right-foot free kick in the 31st minute, but just 10 minutes later Mr Lewandowski was on hand to fire in the equalizer from inside the penalty area. The Polish striker controlled a low cross from the right before swinging and missing at the ball. His air shot fooled two defenders, allowing him time to compose himself before side footing the ball into the bottom left-hand corner.

Next up for Mr Lewandowski is the Bundesliga’s runaway leader Bayern Munich, who Dortmund will face in the quarterfinals of the German DFB Cup on February 27.

David Ingham