In the opening round of World Cup matches Germany defeated Australia 4-0 and two names on that scoresheet would have confused Bundesliga fans.
Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski both scored in that victory but they always do for their international side.
Both players have since added to their goal tallies in South Africa.
Bizarre
Yet last season in the Bundesliga neither could score to save his life. Klose endured his worse season since joining Bayern and was regularly overlooked for the starting line-up. Bayern were successful despite his absence but he had a frustrating season.
Lukas Podolski was previously with Bayern but struggled to make an impact at the Allianz-Arena. He didn’t look like the same player who had been superb for FC Koln. He decided to leave Munich and return to Koln in a bid to rediscover his top form and get his career back on track.
Podolski’s return to Koln hasn’t worked out either and despite being a regular in his club side he scored just two Bundesliga goals last season. That’s the same amount of league goals as the much-maligned England striker Emile Heskey.
Few Doubts
Despite their poor seasons in the Bundesliga last term hardly anybody in their home country has questioned their selection in the starting eleven. The reason being when they put that Germany international shirt on they suddenly become top players again.
Maybe it’s the motivation that Germany boss Joachim Low supplies or maybe it’s something else. It’s a kind of strange phenomenon. And nobody knows the reason. I just wish some of the England team suffered from the same phenomenon!
Records
Both strikers have fantastic goal scoring records at international level. In fact Klose is now level with German striking legend Gerd Muller as the top scorer in the history of the national side. He needs just two more goals to beat Brazilian striker Ronaldo’s record at World Cup finals.
At 32 years-old he may seek a move for regular first team football next season. He has already been linked with Russian side Rubin Kazan but a move to a higher standard of football could still be possible.
He is still capable of producing the goods as he’s showing in South Africa. Although any prospective buyer would have to make him wear a German shirt whenever he played or he wouldn’t score!
Podolski’s scoring record is not too shabby either as he’s struck 41 goals for the Germans. He has also been linked with a move away from Koln. Premier League Chelsea has been linked with a move for the 25 year-old but I think that’s just a story made up by the press.
Underrated
These two players have done a lot for their country in their careers. They helped Germany to the semi-finals of the World Cup in their home country in 2006. Klose also helped his country to the final of the tournament in 2002, which they lost 2-0 to Brazil.
The pair has again combined to help their national team reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. Even after these achievements in their homeland they are not considered alongside the German greats of Beckenbauer and Muller.
I can only assume that they are not considered legends because their careers at club level haven’t hit the heights of their international careers. However their achievements with the German side shouldn’t be undermined by poor performances at club level.
Even if Germany crash out to Spain in the semi-final on Wednesday the pair should go down in the history German football as heroes, even if regular watchers of the Bundesliga disagree.
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