Podolski at Inter Milan – Dream of Italy – Süddeutsche.de

Lukas Podolski smiles again: In Milan he received a warm and full of expectations. For both sides of the transfer is a big promise: Inter wants title, Podolski Goals. If only it were that simple.

By Sebastian Fischer

There is a picture of a time when football shirts still shone and were put into pants that stopped well above the knees. In this picture an elderly man is seen with three younger guys, they pose against the sun blinking on a blooming meadow Lombard, on background blue sky, mountains, shrubs and a country house with red bricks: a dream of Italy. The older man looked very proud in the camera as a father who presents his three sons. But it’s Giovanni Trapattoni, back in 1989, master coach of Inter Milan. To his right, Lothar Matthäus, to his left Andreas Brehme and Jürgen Klinsmann, his players, in blue and black striped jerseys.

seemed at first images of Lukas Podolski in Milan not the sun, but it was night surrounded the Milano Linate airport and the German national team of fans who followed him to the parking lot. “Score Goals!”, “Forza Inter!” Podolski called late Friday in the TV microphones, sweat ran down his forehead, but he smiled proudly and resolutely put forth a blue-black scarf in the sky. The Tifosi sang.

Lukas Podolski, 29, is the eighth German in the history of Inter Milan, according to Horst Szymaniak, Karl-Heinz Rumennigge, Hansi Müller, Matthew, Brehme, Klinsmann and Matthias Sammer. Podolski’s six-month loan with option to purchase from Arsenal FC, for its confirmation only thing missing is the signature should be a promise for both sides, for tying the old times: Title for Inter. Goals from Podolski. A Dream of Italy.

Large space in the table

Still, there are, however, especially the old times themselves that make this pledge promising. For the present looks cloudy. News Inter Milan in Serie A only Tabellenelfter and has won no titles since the Italian club ‘Cup 2011. And Podolski has long ceased Goals scored regularly in the Premier League for Arsenal this season, none, only three in the Champions League.

He had on Friday night maybe the old pictures of Klinsmann, Brehme and Matthew in the head. From the time when Podolski, born in 1985, just playing football began when he spoke of an adventure in Italy, on which he had been waiting for. And when he shouted into the microphone, he would want to reach the Champions League with Inter this year. The distance in the table is present, however insurmountable 15 points. And the problems in Milan can Podolski not really solve, they are more on the defensive: 23 goals Inter have conceded in the first round

Perhaps Podolski was just happy to have the adventure Arsenal finished for the time being to. have. On New Year’s striker had in London last even forfeited to the tabloids, the Daily Mirror accused via Twitter of lying because had been claimed, Podolski had the day before the match against FC Southampton, for it was not included, leave rage on the training area. He had said Podolski, do not enter the place all day, but had been treated by physiotherapists.

His relationship with manager Arsene Wenger was complicated for some time. The Frenchman put no more on instinct footballer with the distinctive left, putting: he was not flexible enough constant. The former Cologne 2012 changed for 12 million euros on the Thames, had no chance against players like Danny Wellbeck or Aléxis Sanchez.

In a crucial phase of his footballing career in it for one last big contract going on the retirement and a perspective in the national team Podolski could not possibly stay in London. Kolportierte 2 million Euro is now the rental fee, 6.5 million euros the option to buy. On Saturday morning, it already examined the Milan club doctors, in the afternoon followed by the first training session.

Possible application already on Tuesday

There, on the square, the story does not matter anymore, not his and not of Inter. And yet there are also there first evidence that the new relationship could work. For Wenger Podolski was always a left winger with a strong left foot – no more. “I know him very well. He can play in different positions,” Inter coach Roberto Mancini has, however, recently declared. In Milan, Podolski could also centrally run up behind striker Mauro Icardi, perhaps on Tuesday against Juventus.

Mancini, who won in series with Inter 2006-2008 three league titles, since November back in Milan, he replaced the hapless Walter Mazzari, and since then looks for a matching system, most recently he alternated between 4-2-3-1, 4-4-2 and 4-3-3. That henceforth he relies on Podolski is likely. “He has a lot of experience, is a great player and world champion,” he said of his new striker. And then directed to safety once again refer to the story: “German players have Italy always done very well.”