By Chris Ives Last updated: 21st August 2008
Podolski: Confident
Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podolski feels he is every bit as good as Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.
Responding to praise from national coach Joachim Low in which he said that Podolski has shown better form at major tournaments than the Manchester United duo, the former Cologne man underlined his self-belief.
"The English league where they play is the centre of attention and I like watching it too," Poldi told SportBild.
"Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo are world class players, but I don't think that I should judge myself to be five categories worse than them.
"I have proven that I don't need to hide behind any players. The same can be said for players such as Schweinsteiger and Lahm."
Podolski started in Bayern's first match of the new Bundesliga season and added that he is confident of keeping his place despite the imminent return to fitness of Bundesliga top-scorer Luca Toni.
"I want to play - that is my goal," he added.
"I don't want to have to rely on other people being injured or suspended, I want to play!
"I am still young and want to continue my development and that's only possible on the pitch."
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 30th November | |
| German Bundesliga | |
| Borussia Dortmund 0 - 0 Wolfsburg | |
| VfL Bochum 1 - 1 Hamburg | |
| VfB Stuttgart 2 - 0 Schalke 04 | |
| Saturday 29th November | |
| German Bundesliga | |
| Werder Bremen 5 - 0 Eintracht Frankfurt | |
| Bayer Leverkusen 0 - 2 Bayern Munich | |
| Borussia M'gladbach 1 - 3 Cottbus | |
| Hannover 96 3 - 2 Karlsruhe | |
| TSG Hoffenheim 3 - 0 Arminia Bielefeld | |
| Friday 28th November | |
| German Bundesliga | |
| Hertha Berlin 2 - 1 Cologne | |
| Sunday 23rd November | |
| German Bundesliga | |
| Hamburg 2 - 1 Werder Bremen | |
| Saturday 22nd November | |
| German Bundesliga | |
| Schalke 04 3 - 1 Borussia M'gladbach | |
| Wolfsburg 4 - 1 VfB Stuttgart | |
| VfL Bochum 2 - 3 Hertha Berlin | |
| Eintracht Frankfurt 4 - 0 Hannover 96 | |
| Arminia Bielefeld 2 - 1 Bayer Leverkusen | |
| Bayern Munich 4 - 1 Cottbus | |
| Cologne 1 - 3 TSG Hoffenheim | |
| Friday 21st November | |
| German Bundesliga | |
| Karlsruhe 0 - 1 Borussia Dortmund | |
| Sunday 16th November | |
| German Bundesliga | |
| Werder Bremen 3 - 1 Cologne | |
| Saturday 15th November | |
| German Bundesliga | |
| Hertha Berlin 2 - 1 Hamburg | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hoffenheim | 15 | 34 |
| 2 | Bayern Munich | 15 | 31 |
| 3 | Hertha Berlin | 15 | 30 |
| 4 | Bayer Leverkusen | 15 | 28 |
| 5 | Hamburg | 15 | 27 |
| 6 | Borussia Dortmund | 15 | 25 |
Barcelona, Celtic and Inter Milan continue to lead the way in their respective leagues.
Skysports.com draws up a 10-strong list of top derbies in world football.
Barcelona saw their winning streak ended, Inter Milan remain out in front and Hoffenheim are back on top.
Serie A giants Juventus have offered Hamburg striker Ivica Olic a four-year contract.
Arminia Bielefeld are hoping to sign Germany international winger David Odonkor.
Valencia goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand has left the club by mutual consent after just one season with the club.
Borussia Monchengladbach defender Steve Gohouri is targeting a move to the Premier League.
Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery admits he was "disappointed" to finish 16th in the polling for the 2008 Ballon d'Or.