Can Bayern be better without Lewandowski?

 Bayern Munich: Can Bundesliga club be better without Robert Lewandowski?

Bayern Munich are known for conducting transfer business as quietly as possible - this summer was different.

Robert Lewandowski, who had played eight years for the club, engaged in a public battle with Bayern's management and directors, trying to force his way out.

After weeks of denying any intentions to sell the Poland striker, the German giants gave the green light for Lewandowski's move to Barcelona.

Their reluctance seemed justified, given that Lewandowski had been a life insurance for Bayern for quite some time. The expectation was that the loss of such a prolific goalscorer would diminish the Bundesliga champions' attacking power significantly - until Bayern played their first competitive match of the new season.

They met RB Leipzig in the domestic Super Cup game in July. Leipzig, who on paper have one of the strongest squads in the Bundesliga, were obliterated in their own stadium in the first half. Bayern led the game 3-0 and showcased a new style.

Without Lewandowski, their attack looked more unpredictable than ever as manager Julian Nagelsmann returned to the fast-paced football he made his name for at TSG Hoffenheim.

He chose a 4-2-2-2 formation, giving up on the idea of focusing on one target striker. The narrow formation allows them to play vertical passes between four pairs: the centre halves, the centre midfielders, the attacking midfielders and the strikers.

Bayern start their Champions League campaign at Inter Milan on Wednesday sitting just third in the Bundesliga but can they still mix it with the elite in the absence of Lewandowski?