Lukas Podolski, who has featured for both the clubs involved in this tie, has a point to prove on Tuesday.
“I knew Bayern would leave me out in the cold.”
Lukas Podolski, the prince of Köln, appeared in the 2006 World Cup for Germany. Outside of Germany, few really knew about this youngster. He had scored 12 goals for a side which had suffered relegation prior to the World Cup. The German, of Polish origin, started off the World Cup slowly but really got going in the latter stages.
He earned the 'Best Young Player of the Tournament' award and transferred to Bayern München. Eventually, the golden boy of German football started falling from grace. After a poor first season, Podolski found himself pushed down the pecking order with the purchases of Luca Toni and fellow Pole Miroslav Klose.
After Otmar Hitzfeld’s departure in 2008, Klinsmann was given the reigns at Bayern. Podolski must have felt that his stock would rise under the coach who brought him to the eyes of the world. Instead, his stock fell further. This is when he uttered the words stated above.
The unhappy midfielder with a hammer of a left foot went back to his origins in 2009. He signed for Köln. Once again, he started to fire. Podolski matured in his time at tumultuous Köln. His Bayern failures slowly started to fade away. Köln relied on their prodigal son. Podolski had his best ever club season to date in 2011-12.
No longer a youngster, the time seemed right for Poldi to move away. He was becoming too big for his club. On his final match, a set of flares were lit which saw the game between Bayern and Köln end early. Podolski never really got to say goodbye. Bayern won the match 1-4. Podolski ironically bid farewell to German football against the club which caused him plenty of sleepless nights.
At Arsenal, things have been going smoothly and steadily for the German. While he does disappear in some matches, he provides plenty of assists and goals. He has scored a few memorable goals already. He scored Arsenal’s first goal of the season against Liverpool. Podolski is finally settled in London. He has finally found the right place.
The German international must surely have a few butterflies in his stomach prior to this match. There is possibly a fire burning inside of him; there is perhaps still a desire to show Bayern that they were wrong to treat him the way they did. He does not miss Bayern and Bayern does not miss him. However, Arsenal will rely on him to produce something special if things go awry at the Emirates.
There is no doubt that the German is a fantastic player. He can pass well and he can shoot well. He is a great crosser as well. He is a master of free kicks. However, many will remember his failures at Bayern. Podolski will surely not want that mark of failure to stick to him forever.
He can erase that mark by striking against Bayern.
Podolski was perhaps too young for a move to Bayern. A move at this time would possibly have been better.
Podolski will want to show that he is bigger and better now than he was in his time at Bayern. He will get the chance to do it on the biggest stage of all tomorrow. However, will he be able to do so?
Lukas Podolski, the prince of Köln, appeared in the 2006 World Cup for Germany. Outside of Germany, few really knew about this youngster. He had scored 12 goals for a side which had suffered relegation prior to the World Cup. The German, of Polish origin, started off the World Cup slowly but really got going in the latter stages.
He earned the 'Best Young Player of the Tournament' award and transferred to Bayern München. Eventually, the golden boy of German football started falling from grace. After a poor first season, Podolski found himself pushed down the pecking order with the purchases of Luca Toni and fellow Pole Miroslav Klose.
After Otmar Hitzfeld’s departure in 2008, Klinsmann was given the reigns at Bayern. Podolski must have felt that his stock would rise under the coach who brought him to the eyes of the world. Instead, his stock fell further. This is when he uttered the words stated above.
The unhappy midfielder with a hammer of a left foot went back to his origins in 2009. He signed for Köln. Once again, he started to fire. Podolski matured in his time at tumultuous Köln. His Bayern failures slowly started to fade away. Köln relied on their prodigal son. Podolski had his best ever club season to date in 2011-12.
No longer a youngster, the time seemed right for Poldi to move away. He was becoming too big for his club. On his final match, a set of flares were lit which saw the game between Bayern and Köln end early. Podolski never really got to say goodbye. Bayern won the match 1-4. Podolski ironically bid farewell to German football against the club which caused him plenty of sleepless nights.
At Arsenal, things have been going smoothly and steadily for the German. While he does disappear in some matches, he provides plenty of assists and goals. He has scored a few memorable goals already. He scored Arsenal’s first goal of the season against Liverpool. Podolski is finally settled in London. He has finally found the right place.
The German international must surely have a few butterflies in his stomach prior to this match. There is possibly a fire burning inside of him; there is perhaps still a desire to show Bayern that they were wrong to treat him the way they did. He does not miss Bayern and Bayern does not miss him. However, Arsenal will rely on him to produce something special if things go awry at the Emirates.
There is no doubt that the German is a fantastic player. He can pass well and he can shoot well. He is a great crosser as well. He is a master of free kicks. However, many will remember his failures at Bayern. Podolski will surely not want that mark of failure to stick to him forever.
He can erase that mark by striking against Bayern.
Podolski was perhaps too young for a move to Bayern. A move at this time would possibly have been better.
Podolski will want to show that he is bigger and better now than he was in his time at Bayern. He will get the chance to do it on the biggest stage of all tomorrow. However, will he be able to do so?
