Schweini scores, Podolski sees red – but Germany win

09.10.2006

Bastian Schweinsteiger scored the 12th goal of his international career in the 24th minute of Germany’s match with Georgia, threading home a shot from 30 metres to give his side a 1-0 lead. The midfielder delivered an impressive performance in the 2-0 victory, including making his country’s second goal for his former Bayern colleague Michael Ballack.

“It would be great if everything goes as well [against Slovakia] on Wednesday,” ‘Schweini’ said afterwards, adding of his goal: “I just took a shot, and in it went. I use whatever space I have and take every opportunity to try to score. But that also requires telling passes, and today everything came together.”

But it was not so satisfactory for Lukas Podolski. Bayern’s new recruit made little impact this time, in contrast to his goal feast in the 13-0 victory over San Marino, and in the 49th minute he received a red card for retaliating against the Georgian Zurab Khizanishvili. Podolski said of his expulsion: “That should simply not happen, and that is something that it now engrained in me. I apologised to my team-mates, and hopefully it will never happen again.” He is still able to take part in Wednesday’s European Championship qualifier against Slovakia.

Philipp Lahm did not make an appearance against the side coached by Klaus Toppmöller, joining a few other regulars who were saved for the match in Bratislava. German coach Joachim Löw gave three newcomers their first international caps. Bremen’s Clemens Fritz and Piotr Trochowski of Hamburg started the match, while Aachen’s Jan Schlaudraff made his Germany debut when he came on in the second half.

The Germans were in charge from the start, although there was little noteworthy in the first half apart from Schweinsteiger’s goal. After the break Löw’s team were rarely in danger despite being a man down, and the numerical disadvantage was removed when Khizanishvili received a second yellow. Ballack clinched the victory in the 67th minute with a shot from the edge of the penalty area.

from fcbayern.de

Line-up: Timo Hildebrand; Arne Friedrich, Manuel Friedrich (Alexander Madlung 83), Clemens Fritz; Thomas Hitzlsperger (Malik Fathi 76), Michael Ballack, David Odonkor, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Piotr Trochowski (Torsten Frings 76); Mike Hanke (Jan Schlaudraff 65), Lukas Podolski

Goal(s): Schweinsteiger 24, Ballack 67