FRANKFURT - LUKAS Podolski's declared intention to leave Bayern Munich has rocked the German powerhouse one day before a crucial Champions League game against Steaua Bucharest.

Bayern needs only one point to make sure of advancing to the knockout stage. Once there, it could be without Podolski, the unhappy striker who came out Monday with the clearest statement yet on his intention to leave the Bundesliga champions during the winter break.

'I have made my decision and I would like to leave the club in the winter,' Podolski told the mass-circulation Bild newspaper's Monday edition. 'I have told the club's management that I want to leave in the winter.' There was no immediate public reaction from Bayern.

Podolski joined Bayern after the 2006 World Cup in one of the Bundesliga's most publicised transfers and has a contract until June 2010. But he never got beyond the status of a reserve player in Bayern, despite playing regularly for Germany.

Even the arrival of former Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann did not improve Podolski's situation. Klinsmann started Podolski in the national team but has usually left the Polish-born striker on the bench so far this season, preferring to start with Luca Toni and Miroslav Klose.

Podolski has made no secret of being unhappy in Bayern, but this was the first time he clearly said he wants out. If Bayern lets him go, the 23-year-old striker, who has 31 goals in 60 games for Germany, is likely to return to FC Cologne, his first major club - if Cologne can generate enough money to pay him.

On Friday, however, Bayern's general manager Uli Hoeness announced that the club planned no new signings during the winter break and that it would not let any players go. One exception is the arrival of US forward Landon Donovan on a 2 1/2-month loan from Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy. Bayern would also like to extend his stay until the end of the season and Donovan's arrival could further complicate Podolski's situation in Bayern.

Klinsmann and other club officials have urged Podolski to stay and continue fighting for a place in the starting 11.

Podolski missed Saturday's 4-1 Bundesliga win over Energie Cottbus with a thigh bruise, but was declared fit on Sunday.

'We have a great chance to reach the last 16 of the Champions League against Steaua. So our full concentration now belongs to that game,' Klinsmann said - before Podolski's interview appeared.

Still, Bayern should earn the point it needs in Tuesday's game.

It won 1-0 in Bucharest and Steaua hasn't won in its last 12 games in all competitions, including the last five under new coach Dorinel Munteanu, a former Bundesliga player with Cologne and Wolfsburg. -- AP