How's it going at … Podolski ?: Sporty degraded and abused by fans

Tuesday, January 05, 2021

How's it going at … Podolski?
Sporty degraded and abused by fans

By Heiko Lütkehus

Even at the age of 35, Lukas Podolski makes no move to hang his football boots on the much-cited nail. In terms of sport, things went better for the former national player than at his current club Antalyaspor. And now there is also trouble with the fans.

When the emotions boiled up in the SüperLig duel between Galatasaray and Antalyaspor in stoppage time, Lukas Podolski still had his big appearance. The 2014 world champion intervened decisively when some current and former teammates were bothering each other. At this point, the attacker had only been on the lawn for a few moments. Coach Ersun Yanal did not allow him more than a short stint when he saw his ex-club again.

When the final whistle sounded shortly afterwards, the guests from the holiday paradise of Antalya were divided on how the goalless draw at the top club in Istanbul should be classified. On the one hand, the surprising point gain ended the most recent negative series, which had reached its low point in the previous week in the 6-0 home disgrace against newly promoted Hatayspor.

On the other hand, Antalyaspor played against Galatasaray for around 40 minutes after Emre Kilinc was thrown off the field with red due to an over-hard tackle. So Podolski and Co. did not shine after the game. No wonder – only three points separate the team from a relegation zone after 16 match days. And most of the cellar competitors have played one less game, so they could soon pass.

Solidarity with the ex-club does not please everyone

Together with two other long-time Bundesliga professionals, Podolski was supposed to usher in a new era: In addition to the 130-time German national player who served in Antalya last January, the 32-year-old Nuri Sahin, whose contract with Werder Bremen, was in the summer had expired, and the equally old Sidney Sam (previously at SCR Altach) was brought to the Mediterranean coast.

The club management had hoped for a significant boost from the international experience of the veterans. So far in vain. Vice-captain Podolski was allowed to play in eleven of 16 league games from the start and scored three goals, but he is not undisputed.

This is also due to his difficult relationship with the Antalyaspor fans, who resent his open-hearted attachment to his former club Galatasaray. Many followers reacted indignantly to a social media post by the 35-year-old before the encounter in Istanbul. "Matchday !! The year starts with a special game," wrote Podolski and posted a picture showing him in both a Galatasaray and an Antalyaspor jersey.

Anything but a dream start

When he warmed up, Podolski wore a t-shirt with wishes for wellbeing for gala defender Omar Elabdellaoui, who was seriously injured by a New Year's Eve. Both actions brought the living legend of 1. FC Köln sharp headwinds. Many a fan accused Podolski of a lack of loyalty and a lack of respect, some even demanded the dissolution of his working paper in Antalya, which was valid until the end of June.

Even if the decision-makers at Tables-15. shouldn't waste a thought on a premature separation from the old German star – Lukas Podolski, who has been insulted and athletically degraded, can certainly not speak of a dream start into 2021.