TOTS Lewandowski Review

It is strange to think that this may be the last Bundesliga TOTS review of the perennial inclusion of Robert Lewandowski. Maybe not to the levels of Messi leaving Barcelona, but certainly an end of an era that you couldn’t fathom in recent years even in your wildest dreams.  The giant Pole is synonymous with the Bavarian side after setting unprecedented goal scoring records on his way to numerous titles and world recognition… not to mention a very impressive collection of performance related FIFA cards.  Due to the nature of special Lewandowski cards not fitting FIFA meta, I have been able to afford and test the majority of them, coming to a point of expecting a similar pattern in end results.  The card is incredibly strong, pin point and lethal accuracy, sometimes deceivingly pacey, unfortunately clunky, and ultimately a very cheap and undeniably usable card.  The upgrade to the 5 STAR WEAK FOOT this time around meant a more substantial price than the TOTY version but I felt otherwise prepared for what was to come.  After a difficult run last weekend it was back to familiar territory with the 4-2-2-2 formation and nothing quite screams “Lewandowski Review '' like the application of the ENGINE chemistry style.  Lewandowski was the swan song contributor all weekend long in the following squad: 

Starting Formation:

Overall

Rating: 9.5/10
Pace Rating: 9.5/10
Dribbling Rating: 9.5/10
Shooting Rating: 9/10
Passing Rating: 9.5/10
Physical Rating: 10/10
Defending Rating: N/

Lewandowski: The Agile Giant… a title that even the most clickbait hungry Twitter accounts would envy, but also true.  I expected a similar review to those that have come before and what I got was a solid reminder that there are always surprises with this game.  Certainly, the most agile version of Lewandowski I have ever used and maybe the least clinical too.  I found myself ecstatic at being able to create Lewandowski’s own chances for the first time ever and equally furious at the squandered chances, ironically on his new and improved left foot.  However, I 150% take this trade off and couldn’t think of a better send off for a FIFA legend than this potentially iconic card.  He does the lot… and he does it well.   

Main Statistic – Physical

Physical Rating: 10/10
Dribbling Rating: 9.5/10
Skills: ★★★★
Height: 185cm | 6’1

It took a half to realize that what I was witnessing was not a mirage… was not a one off miracle… and that I actually had a responsive and agile Lewandowski on my hands.  With the size and power of this card, it is no shock that it is difficult to dispossess the big man on the ball… but it was insane to realize that the 89 AGILITY, 99 BALANCE, 99 DRIBBLING & 97 BALL CONTROL were all working together to create some genuine magic on the ball.  Then you mix in the 99 STRENGTH to the overall difficulty of winning a tackle in the first place and you have a dangerous weapon on your hands.  I couldn’t believe it and even after 5 matches of proof I expected it to end any minute.  For those of us that get those sluggish gameplay moments, I will say that in slower gameplay this card was dramatically affected and worries me about this card on mudded weekends… but with the past weekend's more consistent gameplay this card was wonderful on the sticks. 

Main Attribute – 5 STAR WEAK FOOT

Shooting Rating: 9/10
Weak Foot: ★★★★★
Traits: Finesse Shot, Outside Foot Shot

I never thought I would see the day when an end of the year Lewandowski card did not sit on the precipice of shooting perfection.  In fact, it goes against God and nature to picture the big man as anything but shooting excellence, but that is what I experienced this weekend.  The biggest issue?  The now 5 STAR WEAK FOOT that somehow feels broken given the boost.  Having used and reviewed the TOTY version I mentioned I felt the 5 STAR WEAK FOOT was already there on that card… yet now it somehow feels nerfed.  There are jokes to be had here, but I will leave those for today.  The irony was not lost on me though, but unfortunately what was lost was 8-10 goals across the 15 matches which could have launched this card into FIFA 22 lore for these reviews.  Having said all of that… it is still a 9/10 for me as this card still doesn’t miss a chance on his favorite right foot.  The 99 FINISHING is outstanding, the 95 SHOT POWER is devastating, the 93 LONG SHOTS are sublime, while the FINESSE SHOT & OUTSIDE FOOT traits are more than welcome additions.  With 16 goals in 15 matches, he still has it all on the right but could have been out of this world if he could replicate it on the left   

Value/Coins & Good vs. Bad

Value/Coins Rating: 5/5
Good vs Bad Rating: 5/5

Before I get into the TOTS/TOTY comparison I should be quick to note that this card is worth every coin of the 600k price tag.  I think if more FUT Managers were aware of how this card operates in game this card would be closer to 800k in truth. However, it is worth taking a second to look at the 200k difference to the TOTY version and point out the irony that this is 100% due to the 5 STAR WEAK FOOT upgrade and in the end was not what I experienced at all.

If you put the base statistics of TOTS Lewandowski into a FUTBIN search you are left with only a few comparison options which include the likes of TOTS CR7 and TOTS Suarez.  While CR7 remains in the selling-kidneys-to-afford price bracket, it is worth noting that Suarez will still cost double as well.  The key is always going to be the stigma around Lewandowski cards being clunky and this time around I am here to say this card is different.  When taking the new found agility and adding the 99 POSITIONING, 92 VISION, 97 SHORT PASSING, 96 JUMPING, 98 HEADING ACCURACY and even the HIGH | LOW WORK RATES… you start to realize the Weekend League demon you are left with on your hands.     

Closing Words

Absolutely loved this card and this review.  Crazy the difference that a few months make and while nothing changed or added to this card should have affected this part of performance, I am all here for it.  I didn’t even touch on the 7 assists which was a Target Man masterclass… Player A passes to Lewandowski; the big man holds it up; Player A runs into space; Lewandowski executes the pinpoint pass; Player A is running to the corner flag.  Having used Kimmich this weekend I will offer a small spoiler that this could be a tandem worth giving some serious consideration to going forward and in both cases remain diamonds in the rough at laughably low price tags.  Let me know if you experienced something similar or completely different in the comments… because for me it was the ideal Lewandowski send off this weekend.  What a card.  Hoping you are safe and well.  Cheers for reading.   
 

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