Lukas Podolski doesn’t see Galatasaray without a chance in his former club’s Champions League duel against FC Bayern on Tuesday (6:45 p.m.).
“Nominally, Galatasaray probably has the best team of the last ten or 15 years. So far they have shown their strength in the championship and in the premier class. If the mood in the team is good and the euphoria in the club remains, then they can achieve a lot this year,” the 2014 world champion warned the German record champions in an interview with club media.
Podolski is expecting “a great game” in Istanbul. The 38-year-old, who played for Galatasaray between 2015 and 2017, enthused: “It’s a spectacular stadium and the atmosphere is fantastic. It’s special because the whole stadium is involved, everyone is behind the team.”
There is currently great euphoria at Galatasaray, said Podolski, with a view to the Turks’ 3-2 surprise win in the premier class against Manchester United. “They have built a strong team recently and now see a realistic chance of progressing in the group. That’s why the stadium will be buzzing and everyone can look forward to a great atmosphere.”
FC Bayern has the right to play for all titles
Podolski also has a lot of confidence in Munich this season, also thanks to goalscorer Harry Kane. “Bayern always has the ambition to play for all the titles. The quality, especially offensively, was very high in my time and it is great again now. In Harry Kane they have an outstanding and cold-snout striker. At Bayern it is important that up front someone who takes advantage of the many opportunities.”
Top talents like Mathys Tel and Jamal Musiala are also “extremely interesting guys,” praised Podolski. “They play very carefree and creatively. I particularly like their style of play, which you rarely see in the Bundesliga. You enjoy watching them. They have that certain something. Bayern can be lucky to have such guys in their own ranks.