---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you are a big team, and you play…"
description: "\"When you are a big team, and you play away against a second or third-tier team, there is always pressure.\" — Lukas Podolski"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d7/lukas-podolski-9884_always_when-you-are-a-big-team-and-you-play-awa_1552948.png"
---

#  When you are a big team, and you play away against a…

![“When you are a big team, and you play away against a second or third-tier team, there is always pressure.” quote by Lukas Podolski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d7/lukas-podolski-9884_always_when-you-are-a-big-team-and-you-play-awa_1552948.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d7/lukas-podolski-9884_always_when-you-are-a-big-team-and-you-play-awa_1552948.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d7/lukas-podolski-9884_always_when-you-are-a-big-team-and-you-play-awa_1552948.png)

> “When you are a big team, and you play away against a second or third-tier team, there is always pressure.”

[Lukas Podolski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lukas-podolski/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Playing against weaker teams creates pressure to perform despite expectations of easy victory.

**In simple terms:** Pressure exists even when opponents seem inferior.

Key Takeaway

Stay focused and treat every match seriously.

Themes

pressure expectations underdog mindset

Mood

motivational strategic

Type

sports advice

When to use this quote

- league matches
- tournament games
- practice sessions

Key Concepts

sports psychology team dynamics performance anxiety

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you maintain intensity against lower‑ranked opponents?
- What strategies prevent complacency?

A Different Perspective

May ignore the need for strategic rotation or rest.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Always](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) [Big](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big/) [Big Team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-team-594575/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Play Away](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play-away-448143/) [Pressure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pressure/) [Team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/team/) [Team Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/team-play/) [Team Pressure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/team-pressure-624057/) [Tier Team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tier-team-5809137/)

## Related quotes

> [A player can have all the quality and everything it takes to play for a big-six team or to play for the best teams…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkay-gundogan/a-player-can-have-all-the-quality-and-everything-it-takes-to-play-for/)

[Ilkay Gundogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkay-gundogan/)

> [Arsenal is a very big team, and we want to win trophies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lukas-podolski/arsenal-is-a-very-big-team-and-we-want-to-win-trophies/)

[Lukas Podolski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lukas-podolski/)

> [There is a lot of pressure on tennis players like other sports that are singular like you're not on a team. When all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-courier/there-is-a-lot-of-pressure-on-tennis-players-like-other-sports-that/)

[Jim Courier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-courier/)

> [Since I was promoted to the America MG first team, there was already pressure on me. In my third game at America, I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richarlison/since-i-was-promoted-to-the-america-mg-first-team-there-was-already/)

[Richarlison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richarlison/)

> [It's always pressure to take a pen, doesn't matter if it's against City, or another team. It's always pressure to take the pens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-fernandes/it-s-always-pressure-to-take-a-pen-doesn-t-matter-if-it-s-against/)

[Bruno Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-fernandes/)

> [I take pride in being one of the tougher guys helping the team pressure and there were so many times when I was watching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alecko-eskandarian/i-take-pride-in-being-one-of-the-tougher-guys-helping-the-team/)

[Alecko Eskandarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alecko-eskandarian/)

> [There's pressure in my entire life. There's pressure to coach a team, there's pressure to try to become a professional basketball player. There's pressure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-jackson/there-s-pressure-in-my-entire-life-there-s-pressure-to-coach-a-team/)

[Mark Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-jackson/)

> [Life is like a game, play it in away to win not in a way to lose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bismark-frimpong/life-is-like-a-game-play-it-in-away-to-win-not-in-a-way-to-lose/)

[Bismark Frimpong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bismark-frimpong/)

> [It's easier for me to get ready for a game on the road because you're expected to lose when you play away from home.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jordan/it-s-easier-for-me-to-get-ready-for-a-game-on-the-road-because-you-re/)

[Michael Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jordan/)

> [That's one thing that you see across the league with backups. You're only one play away from getting in there, so you'd better know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-dalton/that-s-one-thing-that-you-see-across-the-league-with-backups-you-re/)

[Andy Dalton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-dalton/)

> [The conditions are always slightly better back in the U.K. There's a lot of distractions when you play away in China and it's very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judd-trump/the-conditions-are-always-slightly-better-back-in-the-u-k-there-s-a/)

[Judd Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judd-trump/)

> [Humility is always one play away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-foley/humility-is-always-one-play-away/)

[Tim Foley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-foley/)

> [It is always good when you play away because the fans support their team, and it gives you more motivation to play well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernandinho/it-is-always-good-when-you-play-away-because-the-fans-support-their/)

[Fernandinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernandinho/)

> [I am absolutely ecstatic to be here at Chelsea. It is not easy to become part of such a big team so I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorginho/i-am-absolutely-ecstatic-to-be-here-at-chelsea-it-is-not-easy-to/)

[Jorginho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorginho/)

> [You need a big team to support a career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-perry/you-need-a-big-team-to-support-a-career/)

[Linda Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-perry/)

## More by Lukas Podolski

> [Football is like recreation for me. I'd sooner be playing five-a-side than going out to eat or shopping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lukas-podolski/football-is-like-recreation-for-me-i-d-sooner-be-playing-five-a-side/)

[Lukas Podolski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lukas-podolski/)

> [I am a family person; we are a big family, and I need my friends around me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lukas-podolski/i-am-a-family-person-we-are-a-big-family-and-i-need-my-friends-around/)

[Lukas Podolski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lukas-podolski/)

> [It was easy for me to play in the Premier League.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lukas-podolski/it-was-easy-for-me-to-play-in-the-premier-league/)

[Lukas Podolski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lukas-podolski/)

> [Mr. Wenger could have moved on to another club, I am sure, but instead chose to stay and build something over the long term.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lukas-podolski/mr-wenger-could-have-moved-on-to-another-club-i-am-sure-but-instead/)

[Lukas Podolski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lukas-podolski/)

> [I like the style of football in England and the style of Arsenal, and I'm very happy to play in the Premier League.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lukas-podolski/i-like-the-style-of-football-in-england-and-the-style-of-arsenal-and/)

[Lukas Podolski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lukas-podolski/)

> [I have celebrated major successes with Germany on the pitch, but not only that, I have experienced so much off the pitch too, visiting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lukas-podolski/i-have-celebrated-major-successes-with-germany-on-the-pitch-but-not/)

[Lukas Podolski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lukas-podolski/)

> [Football in Japan is highly looked upon, even more than in the rest of Asia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lukas-podolski/football-in-japan-is-highly-looked-upon-even-more-than-in-the-rest-of/)

[Lukas Podolski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lukas-podolski/)

> [“Was in den Zeitungen stimmt, is' einfach falsch!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lukas-podolski/was-in-den-zeitungen-stimmt-is-einfach-falsch/)

[Lukas Podolski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lukas-podolski/)

> [I love the competition, going out there for 90 minutes, fighting your opponent. If you take this competition away from me, I am not happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lukas-podolski/i-love-the-competition-going-out-there-for-90-minutes-fighting-your/)

[Lukas Podolski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lukas-podolski/)

> [I want to score in every game, play well, and set up goals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lukas-podolski/i-want-to-score-in-every-game-play-well-and-set-up-goals/)

[Lukas Podolski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lukas-podolski/)

> [Argentina is not a bad team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lukas-podolski/argentina-is-not-a-bad-team/)

[Lukas Podolski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lukas-podolski/)

> [It is not a problem to sit on the bench: absolutely not. When you have three games in a week, and you don't play,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lukas-podolski/it-is-not-a-problem-to-sit-on-the-bench-absolutely-not-when-you-have/)

[Lukas Podolski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lukas-podolski/)

> [I had other interesting offers, but for me, it had to be a top club. When you look at Arsenal, with a fantastic manager,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lukas-podolski/i-had-other-interesting-offers-but-for-me-it-had-to-be-a-top-club/)

[Lukas Podolski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lukas-podolski/)

> [For me, respect is important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lukas-podolski/for-me-respect-is-important/)

[Lukas Podolski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lukas-podolski/)

> [When you come from Poland, you have nothing. Your mother and father are working. You have only a bed for sleep. You have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lukas-podolski/when-you-come-from-poland-you-have-nothing-your-mother-and-father-are/)

[Lukas Podolski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lukas-podolski/)

[Explore all 69 Lukas Podolski quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lukas-podolski/)

## More Always quotes

> [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/)

[Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/)

> [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/)

[Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/)

> [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/)

[Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/)

> [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/)

[William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/)

> [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/)

[Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/)

> [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/)

[Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/)

> [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/)

[Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/)

> [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/)

[Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/)

> [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/)

[Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/)

> [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/)

[Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/)

> [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/)

[Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/)

> [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/)

[Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/)

> [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/)

[Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/)

> [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/)

[Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/)

> [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/)

[Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/)

[Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "When you are a big team, and you play away against a second or third-tier team, there is always pressure.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Lukas Podolski"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lukas-podolski/when-you-are-a-big-team-and-you-play-away-against-a-second-or-third/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Always"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lukas-podolski/when-you-are-a-big-team-and-you-play-away-against-a-second-or-third/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d7/lukas-podolski-9884_always_when-you-are-a-big-team-and-you-play-awa_1552948.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d7/lukas-podolski-9884_always_when-you-are-a-big-team-and-you-play-awa_1552948.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d7/lukas-podolski-9884_always_when-you-are-a-big-team-and-you-play-awa_1552948.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“When you are a big team, and you play away against a second or third-tier team, there is always pressure.” — Lukas Podolski",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Lukas Podolski",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lukas-podolski/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "When you are a big team,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lukas-podolski/when-you-are-a-big-team-and-you-play-away-against-a-second-or-third/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lukas-podolski/when-you-are-a-big-team-and-you-play-away-against-a-second-or-third/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
