#11 Lukas Podolski ~ Set for exit?

[Oliver_Kahn]

The players currently commanding first-choice status at the club enjoyed a second full day of rest on Monday, but the stars who either failed to feature or made only brief appearances in the 2-1 victory over Hamburg at the weekend were ordered in to the Säbener Strasse at short notice by coach Felix Magath for a punishing fitness session.

The workout involved a total of eleven players, including Sebastian Deisler and Andreas Görlitz, and no fewer than three goalkeepers in the shape of Michael Rensing, Bernd Dreher and Thomas Kraft. Apart from long-term casualties Owen Hargreaves and Valerien Ismael, both working their way back to fitness from broken legs, Mehmet Scholl was the only notable absentee, the veteran spending the morning in the weights room instead.

Poldi reports fit

Lukas Podolski has recovered from sprained ankle ligaments and went jogging on Monday. The Germany international had the ball at his feet again last week, and is confident of resuming the squad programme on Wednesday. "I'm not having any trouble now. I just want to complete two more days' preparatory work," the striker told fcbayern.de.

The developments on the injury front mean Magath effectively chooses from a full squad as Bayern approach a series of three home games in eight days, against Borussia Monchengladbach, Milan titans Internazionale, and Energie Cottbus. Some 24 stars are competing for 18 berths in the matchday squad, assuredly the kind of "problem" most coaches would be only too pleased to tackle.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Nice to have Prince Poldi back.
I hope he can start performing well

[Oliver_Kahn]

FC Bayern München and Germany striker Lukas Podolski is back in team training nearly five weeks after suffering an ankle injury.


Podolski reported back nearly five weeks after suffering an ankle injury at the end of October.

He had his ankle in plaster for eight days before going into rehab.

Comeback against Gladbach?

Head coach Felix Magath is still unsure whether to include Podolski in the Bayern squad for Saturday's home match against Borussia Mönchengladbach. "He has assimilated well, but we'll have to wait and see."

After joing Bayern from 1. FC Köln in the summer, Podolski has figured in seven Bundesliga matches (one goal).

[Oliver_Kahn]

Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podolski is set to return to the squad for his side's Bundesliga clash with Energie Cottbus on Saturday, after recovering from an ankle injury.

The Germany international picked up the injury in training in mid-October, though has taken longer to shake off the problem than the three weeks initially forecast.

Podolski has endured a difficult start to his time at Bayern after moving from Cologne last summer, finding himself largely playing second fiddle to Claudio Pizarro and Roy Makaay.

Bayern currently lie fourth, three points behind leaders Werder Bremen, who travel to Eintracht Frankfurt.

http://www.eurosport.com/football/bu...o1027076.shtml

[Oliver_Kahn]

Good news, let's see what he can do now

[Oliver_Kahn]

He played the last 30min today, when Bayern beat Cottbus 2-1 at home.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Lukas Podolski has defended his poor form since his high-profile move from Cologne to Bayern Munich in the summer. The 21-year-old striker moved to the Bavarian giants for 10 million euros just prior to the World Cup, having scored 24 goals to help Cologne secure promotion back to the Bundesliga.

Podolski then impressed at the World Cup, earning the Gillette Best Young Player award having scored three goals as hosts Germany finished in third place.

But an extended lay-off with an ankle injury and the form of front-pair Roy Makaay and Claudio Pizarro have restricted Podolski's playing time this season.

"I have never regretted my move to Bayern," Podolski told Bild. "I knew what to expect here... but it was an extreme situation for me.

"I played all through the summer and then had to move to a new club in a new city and environment. It was not easy.

"Am I happy? Yes, there are ups and down - but that I knew before. These are all new experiences for me. I'm 21-years-old and I'm still learning.

"It's my first year at Bayern, and maybe I will have to sit on the bench in the second half of the season too. That's ok, I can live with that.

"But the fact is: I want to play. And I'm not afraid of the rivalry. I know that I have to improve after the winter break."

Podolski has scored just three goals for Bayern this year, although his form for the German national side has been much better.

He scored four goals in Germany's 13-0 demolition of San Marino in September, and two more in the 4-1 win against Slovakia at the start of October.

http://www.eurosport.com/football/bu...o1032953.shtml

[Oliver_Kahn]

We need Poldi to get better.

Bayern need a top class striker.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Prince Poldi on the bench today against Mainz

[Oliver_Kahn]

Prince Poldi returned to goal scoring but Bayern lost 4-2 to Aachen and are out of the German Cup

[Oliver_Kahn]

Podolski shown he has talent, he is a very good player, Bayern need him to start performing

[simaozinho200]

podolski a great young striker i would love to have him at benfica

[Oliver_Kahn]

Keep dreaming

[Oliver_Kahn]

Lucas Podolski put in an unusual extra training session in Dubai on Tuesday, sitting in front of an Xbox 360 provided by Bayern partner Microsoft for a "workout" with a so-called "E-coach". The striker yelled with glee every time he hit the virtual target, a shout of triumph he intends to repeat more often in the real world.

"I'm going for it from now on," the striker declared. The man named best Young Player at the World Cup has recorded 15 competitive appearance since switching to Bayern in July, but only three over the full 90 minutes. He is determined to improve on a tally of a goal apiece in the Bundesliga and Champions League as quickly as possible. "I believe I'll play more and score more often from now on," he insisted.

Held back before Christmas

Podolski's five-week lay-off with an ankle injury proved the least of his worries in the autumn. The 21-year-old, in common with fellow Germany youngsters Bastian Schweinsteiger and Philipp Lahm, suffered from an all-too-brief pre-season and low levels of physical and mental strength following the host nation's efforts over the summer.

The World Cup rates as ancient history now, Poldi explained. "I'm involved throughout the mid-season preparations and I feel fit," he explained, reporting that he had now settled in Munich after moving from Cologne six months ago. "I did need time to get used to it. It's definitely something else to leave home at 21 and start living alone with your girlfriend. But I'm feeling better and better in Munich."

Confidence unaffected

Podolski's mate Schweinsteiger had helped ease the switch, advising his pal "that you're expected to win every match in Munich. He has to get used to that, but it's in his blood anyway." Poldi himself reckons he is up to the task. "Pressure, pressure, all you hear about is pressure. I never feel under pressure," he declared.

The Germany icon is certainly at home with the game console in front of him, leading Barcelona to a 5-4 success against a Real Madrid side controlled by the "E-coach".

[Oliver_Kahn]

I have faith that Podolski will be a start for Bayern.