Karl-Heinz Riedle was born in Weiler on September 16 1965
Despite the fact that he was not particularly tall, he had incredibly good aerial abilities, probably one of the best in football history. This was because, thanks to his high jumping training as a boy, he was able to stay in the air for longer than anyone else and he was also extremely accurate.
He started his football career with FC Augsburg where in 1986 he attracted the attention of Sp.Vg. Blau-Weiß 1890 Berlin, a newly promoted Bundesliga club. A year later he moved to Werder Bremen where he stayed for three seasons before joining Lazio in 1990.
He arrived in Rome following the German World Cup victory in 1990 in Italy, and stayed for three years playing 84 games in Serie A, scoring 30 goals, and 10 matches in Coppa Italia (2 goals).
He was much loved by Lazio fans and by his attacking teammates Ruben Sosa and Beppe Signori, who thanks to him were able to have excellent scoring opportunities, as he terrified defenders every time there was a cross into the box.
Cragnotti sold the German to Borussia Dortmund in the winter of 1993. A shock initially for the fans who however were not overly displeased since he was substituted by Alen Boksic, who at the time was one to the best forwards in Europe. At Dortmund he was never able to reach the heights of his Lazio seasons but was fundamental in Borussia’s 1995 and 1996 national championship wins and in the 1997 Champions League final victory against Juventus when he scored two goals.
He played his last footballing years in England, first for Liverpool and then Fulham.
Riedle played 42 times for his national team and scored 16 goals. He also participated in two world cups: four games as a substitute in 1990 and twice in 1994 where he scored one goal against South Korea. He also played five matches in Euro 1992 and scored three goals. He won the World Cup with Germany in 1990 and was runner-up at Euro 1992.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances (goals) | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
1990-91 | 35 (9) | 33 (9) | 2 |
1991-92 | 33 (13) | 29 (13) | 4 |
1992-93 | 26 (10) | 22 (8) | 4 (2) |
Totals | 94 (32) | 84 (30) | 10 (2) |
Sources