Man of the Match and man of the hour: Choupo-Moting

He's football's George Clooney, like a fine wine or anything else that only gets better - in this case in front of goal - with age. We are, of course, talking about Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. The 33-year-old scored a beauty in the 2-0 win against Inter Milan, making it a career-best hot streak of goals in six straight matches.

Six games, seven goals

Bayern have now won seven competitive games in a row - only one of which has not included a Choupo-Moting goal. The 4-2 victory at Viktoria Plzen is the exception to the rule. The Cameroonian's report card otherwise reads: a goal against Freiburg, two in Augsburg in the DFB Cup, one at Hoffenheim, one away to Barcelona in the Champions League, and one against both Mainz and Inter.

Wonder goal

And what a strike it was against the Italians. The player dubbed "the world's best target man" by teammate Serge Gnabry displayed steel and silk as he received the ball with his back to goal before thundering a 20-yard finish into the top corner. It turns out everything he touches turns to goals.

'I'm happy'

"I thought I should have a go from range. It was a great goal," commented Man of the Match Choupo-Moting. "It's been going superbly well these past weeks. I'm happy about my goals, assists and game in general. We're working hard every day in training, and that's the result."

Julian Nagelsmann added: "It was a lovely goal. As soon as he struck it, my assistant said, 'Oh, goal!'. He's no longer playing with any discomfort, that's also been key."

The striker missed the start of the campaign due to injury.

Choups in numbers

Choupo-Moting now has eight goals to show for his first 13 competitive appearances of the season - only one less than across the entire 2021/22 campaign. Nine single-season goals would be a first for the Hamburg-born forward in Bayern colours. He already has three in this term's Champions League.

So much for being in the twilight of his career. At 33 years and 223 days young, Choupo-Moting is the sixth oldest player in Champions League history to reach 10 tournament goals. The top five - pub quiz aficionados at the ready - are Christian Panucci (35), Roar Strand (34), Jefferson Farfan (34), Dani Alves (34) and John Terry (33). Needless to say, Bayern fans have every reason to believe his purple patch will continue in the round of 16. Big Choups is a force to be reckoned with.

Recap Bayern's win over Inter: