Hamburg - Lukas Podolski came off the bench to set up one goal and score another from the penalty spot, but the Germany striker's future at Bayern Munich continues to be a matter of speculation.

Not for the first time this season, Podolski had to hear stinging criticism last week from club general manager Uli Hoeness.

And despite the continued absence of Luca Toni, who is nursing bruised ribs, there was again no place in the starting line-up for Podolski when Bayern took on Arminia Bielefeld at home on Saturday.

Coach Juergen Klinsmann said he wanted to try out a 4-2-3-1 system - using Miroslav Klose as a lone striker - for Wednesday's Champions League visit to Fiorentina.

But later the coach admitted he also wanted to draw a reaction from Podolski.

Italy striker Toni will still be absent for Wednesday's match against his former Serie A side, so Podolski may have now done enough to warrant a first-team place.

"He showed the reaction we wanted. He went in where it hurts and brought a lot of movement to our game," Klinsmann said after the 3-1 victory, the fourth in a row for the German champions who have now climbed to third in the table, four points behind leaders Hoffenheim.

Podolski appeared after the break for Bastian Schweinsteiger after Bielefeld had cancelled out an opening goal from Klose. He then set up a goal for Franck Ribery and converted a penalty after the France midfielder had been fouled in the area.

After a short discussion, Ribery - the normal penalty taker - gave the ball to Podolski.

"Normally I take the penalties but I like Lukas a lot. He wanted to shoot and needed this goal," Ribery said.

Klose said: "The whole team came to celebrate. For all of us it was important that Poldi scored today."

The Poland-born Podolski has continued to shine for Germany despite failing to command a regular starting place at Bayern since his move from Cologne after the 2006 World Cup.

The 23-year-old striker admitted the criticism from Hoeness during the week had been justified after he had not played well in the absence of Toni in Bayern's last two games.

"I wasn't surprised (at being a substitute) but you are always angry when you are on the bench. The only reason was that the coach wanted to try out a new system," he said.

However Podolski may have come to the conclusion that if he wants to play regular first-team football he may have to leave the club.

"You can understand that I will be considering by the winter break how things are going to continue," he said.

"We'll have to wait and see what happens in the next weeks and months. We have some important games coming up and that is more important than beginning any speculation." dpa