FC Bayern: Pauper Poldi, a Broken Jaw, Maradona's Confusion and More

Bayern have a fairly interesting weekend coming up.

Koln vs Bayern

The Rhein side come to play Bayern with a Prince who is now more of a Pauper. Lukas Podolski is a player with major potential and has always graced the international game. He is arguably as talented and if not more as Cristiano Ronaldo. While the ambitious Ronaldo is gracing the Bernabeu, Lukas Podolski is trying to prevent his side from going into the second division.

Podolski lacks desire, ambition, and mental toughness. If he had these three qualities, he would currently be plying his trade at Bayern or arguably Tottenham. To move on from Podolski, his strike partner, Milivoje Novakovic is having a tough season. His team, which consists of Portuguese stars Petit and Maniche are struggling.

Last week, however, Koln managed to get one over their "never say-die" neighbours, Bayer Leverkusen. The game finished 0-0, after Bayer missed a host of chances. Faryd Mondragon, the Koln keeper is on form.

Bayern are missing Martin Demichelis after Michael Ballack broke the Argentine's jaw in their recent friendly game at the Allianz Arena. One has to feel bad for Martin. However, this is also a chance for Contento to shine. Daniel van Buyten is back and will probably play in central defense alongside Holger Badstuber. Lahm and Contento will be monitoring the wings.

Mario Gomez will probably start, but Louis Van Gaal might opt for Ivica Olic or Miroslav Klose following Gomez's barren spell.

Koln will be ultra-defensive. Zvonimir Soldo will make his team defend with their heart and soul. Bayern drew with Koln at the Allianz Arena 0-0. It is simply not easy to break down the Koln defense. Bayern will go out and attack as they usually do. However, Bayern didn't play well at all against Hamburg.

A winner of this match is hard to predict. In their last trip to the Rhein Energie, Bayern lost the match 2-1.

Prediction: Koln 1-1 Bayern

Thomas Muller vs Diego Maradona

Maradona did not enjoy having the young German alongside him in a press conference. He confessed to not even knowing who the German was. He had previously left the podium in irritation after Muller had taken a seat next to him.

This is what he had to say:

“I didn’t know that was one of the players; normally it’s only the coaches who come up here.”

Nuremberg vs Bayer Leverkusen

Leverkusen travel to Bavaria to play the team that recently held Bayern to a draw.  Bayer don't need any more draws after drawing three of their last four matches. Stefan Kiessling is slightly out of form too. Andreas Ottl and Breno will look to do their parent club Bayern a favour by holding out Leverkusen. I still expect Leverkusen to win this one, though.

Prediction: Nuremberg 1-2 Leverkusen

Toni Kroos' Return

Karl Heinz Rummenigge says that Kroos doesn't have to worry about bench time too much as Van Gaal thinks highly of him. Poor Kroos!

This is what Rummenigge had to say:

“The case has been resolved. I've met on Thursday of last week with Toni Kroos and his adviser Volker Struth. Toni will return to Bayern."

“I’ve told Toni that he should not be afraid to land on the bench. We’ve brought him back because [coach Louis] van Gaal thinks much of him. He has watched him closely in recent weeks.”

That's about it. Leverkusen will hope that Koln can do them a favour and give Bayern a headache.