Amazing Podolski helps fire Cologne up table

Published: 17 Oct 2011 - 23:05:37

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Amazing Podolski helps fire Cologne up table

Under-fire forward Lukas Podolski is improving his chances of keeping his place in the Germany team ahead of Euro 2012 with a series of match-winning displays to lift Cologne up the German league table.

With 93 appearances for Germany and 43 goals, the 26-year-old is set to pass the 100 mark next year, if he keeps his place, as Germany bid to win their fourth European crown at Euro 2012.

Podolski is facing increasing pressure in Germany's attacking midfield from talented 20-year-old Andre Schuerrle from Leverkusen, who already has five goals for Germany in just 10 games.

Podolski scored both goals in Cologne's 2-0 win over Hanover on Sunday which left his team 10th in the Bundesliga and gives 'Poldi' - as he is nicknamed - with six goals from eight league games this season.

Cologne started the season down at the foot of the table after back-to-back defeats, but Podolski has played a big part in helping lift his team in the league and they face defending champions Dortmund on Saturday.

"Poldi is simply amazing, we just have to make sure we don't concede goals and he will do the job at the other end," said Cologne defender Miso Brecko after injury to forward Milivoje Novakovic left Podolski as the sole striker.

Having drilled his free-kick over the Hanover wall after 26 minutes, Podolski sealed the win when he nut-megged Hanover midfielder Sergio Pinto and fired his shot into the top corner four minutes from time.

"That is why he is the one of the best players in Germany, if not the best player," enthused Cologne defender Christian Eichner.

But it has not been all praise for Podolski this season.

Both former Germany goalkeeper Toni Schumacher and Cologne's director of sport Volker Finke have criticised him for inconsistency.

He was instrumental in Cologne's 4-1 rout of Champions League side Bayer Leverkusen on September 17 as he scored two goals and helped set up the other two, but was then quiet in his team's 3-0 defeat at Hertha Berlin on October 1.

Cologne's Norwegian coach Stale Solbakken has always backed Podolski and the Germany star ran straight to his trainer after netting the second goal against Hanover.

"I just sprinted to the coach because he was standing there with his fists clenched and I thought that was a good thing to see," said Podolski.

"Every game is a challenge, that is why we play football.

"Many people expect wonderful things from us."

His last comment hints at the pressure he is facing to perform well every week for a team which has flirted with relegation in past seasons and with the European Championships rapidly approaching.

Germany coach Joachim Loew has kept faith in Podolski since he took over as national trainer after the 2006 World Cup, but the Cologne star needs to keep playing well for both club and country.