Lewandowski's Successor Revived in Turkey
After several challenging seasons, Krzysztof Piatek has rejuvenated his career at Istanbul Basaksehir, emerging as the top scorer in the Turkish league.
Krzysztof Piatek, the former AC Milan star, has experienced a remarkable resurgence, demonstrating that it's never too late for success. At 29, the Polish forward has returned to the form that once established him as a prominent striker in European football. Playing for Istanbul Basaksehir, he has netted 18 goals and provided three assists.
Piatek's rise began in the first half of the 2018-2019 season with Genoa, where he scored 19 goals in 21 matches, drawing comparisons to his compatriot, Robert Lewandowski. This impressive performance led to a €35 million transfer to AC Milan in the winter, where he scored seven goals in his first five appearances for the Rossoneri.
However, his form declined thereafter, failing to surpass ten goals in a full season. Subsequent moves to Hertha Berlin and returns to Italy with Fiorentina and Salernitana did not yield the expected results, marking years of underwhelming performances.
A move to Turkey to join Istanbul Basaksehir last season proved transformative. Piatek rediscovered his scoring touch, tallying 17 goals and helping his team secure fourth place in the league. His resurgence earned him a call-up to the Polish national team for Euro 2024, where he made a single appearance.
This season, Piatek's form has been exceptional, with six goals and two assists in his last five matches. He currently leads the Turkish Super Lig scoring charts with ten goals, alongside Simone Banza, and has added four goals in five UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers.