The top scorers so far in 2022 are Lewandowski and… Angel Correa

We’re only 50 days into 2022, but already Angel Correa is enjoying the new year. The Atletico Madrid forward won the January Player of the Month award in LaLiga Santander and has continued his goalscoring form into February. With another strike after coming off the bench against Osasuna on Saturday, he is now level with Robert Lewandowski on seven goals in Europe’s top five leagues in 2022.

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It's no surprise to see Lewandowski at the top of this standing, with the Polish centre-forward having been prolific in front of goal for the past decade. But, Correa hasn’t always been so impactful. This is already his best ever season at Atletico Madrid in terms of goals as he has 11 already in LaLiga Santander, in addition to four assists. Those 15 goal contributions make him the Argentine with the most goals and assists combined in Europe’s top five leagues this term.

What makes Correa’s bright start to 2022 even more impressive is the fact that he hasn’t always been a starter for Diego Simeone. With so many talented forwards in the 2021/22 Atleti squad, Correa has often had to come off the bench, as was the case on Saturday. This means that Correa’s seven goals in 2022 have been scored across just 432 minutes, working out at a goal every 62 minutes.

In Lewandowski’s case, the numbers are similar because Bayern Munich haven’t had as many Bundesliga fixtures. But, he has always started and scored his seven goals so far across 450 minutes, a rate of one every 64 minutes.

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Correa, then, is keeping pace with one of the best in the business and the Argentine will hope to keep up his impressive form when Atletico Madrid take on Manchester United this Wednesday in their Champions League last 16 first leg.

Simeone has Antoine Griezmann back, so will have to pick only two or three out of Griezmann, Luis Suarez, Joao Felix and Correa. But, the Argentine is expected to be given a start, with this the explanation for being left on the bench on Saturday. On Europe’s biggest stage, Correa will look to show his great form to the world.