Ross420
Aug 20 2003, 06:04 AM
Heres an interview with Bayern reserve keeper, Michael Rensing:-
http://www.fcbayern.t-online.de/imperia/md/images/fotogalerien03_04/spielergalerien/rensing/9.jpg
Just like Bastian Schweinsteiger, Markus Feulner, Piotr Trochowski and one or two others, Michael Rensing is a product of Bayern's Junior Team project to nurture future talent for the senior squad. The 19 year-old Germany youth international has stepped up to the role of Oliver Kahn's deputy as of the start of this season.
FCB.de spoke to the gifted youngster, whose childhood dream was fulfilled when he accepted professional terms with the Bavarian giants. But now he has set his sights even higher: "My goal is to take over as number one at some point in the future," he declared.
Interview: Michael Rensing
FCB.de: Hello Michael! Can you remember what you said after winning the German Youth Cup with Bayern in July 2002?
Michael Rensing: "Indeed: I said I'd like to be the number one keeper at Bayern in four years' time. And that's still my ambition."
FCB.de: Has Oliver Kahn spoken to you about that at all?
Rensing: "Never. I haven't a clue if he even got wind of it."
FCB.de: Last winter you were told you'd be the club's number two keeper behind Oliver Kahn in the new season. What are your memories of the day when Uli Hoeneß approached you to pass on the news?
Rensing: "It was at the reserves' Christmas party, and Mr Hoeneß was there too. He told me I was going to be the number two in the senior squad next term. I was blown away, the biggest dream of my life had been realised."
FCB.de: Tell us about your first training session with Oliver Kahn.
Rensing: "I'd already trained with him once or twice while I was in the reserves. It was amazing for me of course, he's always been my idol, and I'd only been able to watch him on TV or from behind the fence at the training ground. It was fantastic to work with him. I can learn a huge amount from him."
FCB.de: How's your relationship with him?
Rensing: "We're comrades, we're team mates. We're both goalkeepers, so we train together and talk daily."
FCB.de: Does he give you tips in training?
Rensing: "He speaks up if something occurs to him during certain routines, where my technique is off for example, or other things I could work on. He's always willing to give advice."
FCB.de: Cologne keeper Stefan Wessels was your predecessor. In four years as a professional, he managed a total of six Bundesliga appearances for Bayern. Doesn't that worry you?
Rensing: "No-one's going to dislodge Oliver Kahn as long as he wants to play. My aim is to learn a lot from him until he hangs up his boots in a few years' time, and just do my best. And Oliver Kahn's getting older, maybe he'll need a break every now and then (laughs). I'm only 19 years old. I'll still be young when Oliver Kahn takes off his gloves for the last time. My goal is to be his successor."
FCB.de: You spend part of your time with the seniors and part with the reserves. Is that a problem?
Rensing: "No. I train exclusively with the professional squad, but I play as often as possible with the reserves just to get match practice. That's very, very important for me. And I've now played twice for the senior side, in Newcastle and in Nuremberg. That was very special, of course, playing in front of a huge crowd and at an extraordinary pace. The players are totally committed, so it's a real help for my development."
FCB.de: The trip to Newcastle was your first outing as a professional. Were you very nervous?
Rensing: "Not at all. It was just like any other game: I was fired up and focused. In fact, I was even more up for it because it was the first time I'd played in front of anything like that kind of crowd. I've seen English grounds from the TV, the fans are right behind your goal and they totally get behind their team. It was a dream come true. I'd love to play in more games like that, it's hugely motivating."
FCB.de: People like Uli Hoeneß have been praising you to the skies over the last few months. Do you feel under pressure?
Rensing: "No. It doesn't bother me at all. There's always a lot of talk. When it goes well, you're a hero, but then you make a stupid mistake and you're crushed. I try to focus on myself and to perform well. The rest just follows automatically."
FCB.de: What helps you keep your feet on the ground?
Rensing: "My family and my best friends. They'll always bring me back down to earth if I ever get too carried away - although I don't think that will happen."
FCB.de: What's your personal goal for this season?
Rensing: "To avoid injury, carry on improving, and make as many appearances as possible."
http://www.fcbayern.t-online.de/imperia/md/images/fotogalerien03_04/spielergalerien/rensing/9.jpg
Just like Bastian Schweinsteiger, Markus Feulner, Piotr Trochowski and one or two others, Michael Rensing is a product of Bayern's Junior Team project to nurture future talent for the senior squad. The 19 year-old Germany youth international has stepped up to the role of Oliver Kahn's deputy as of the start of this season.
FCB.de spoke to the gifted youngster, whose childhood dream was fulfilled when he accepted professional terms with the Bavarian giants. But now he has set his sights even higher: "My goal is to take over as number one at some point in the future," he declared.
Interview: Michael Rensing
FCB.de: Hello Michael! Can you remember what you said after winning the German Youth Cup with Bayern in July 2002?
Michael Rensing: "Indeed: I said I'd like to be the number one keeper at Bayern in four years' time. And that's still my ambition."
FCB.de: Has Oliver Kahn spoken to you about that at all?
Rensing: "Never. I haven't a clue if he even got wind of it."
FCB.de: Last winter you were told you'd be the club's number two keeper behind Oliver Kahn in the new season. What are your memories of the day when Uli Hoeneß approached you to pass on the news?
Rensing: "It was at the reserves' Christmas party, and Mr Hoeneß was there too. He told me I was going to be the number two in the senior squad next term. I was blown away, the biggest dream of my life had been realised."
FCB.de: Tell us about your first training session with Oliver Kahn.
Rensing: "I'd already trained with him once or twice while I was in the reserves. It was amazing for me of course, he's always been my idol, and I'd only been able to watch him on TV or from behind the fence at the training ground. It was fantastic to work with him. I can learn a huge amount from him."
FCB.de: How's your relationship with him?
Rensing: "We're comrades, we're team mates. We're both goalkeepers, so we train together and talk daily."
FCB.de: Does he give you tips in training?
Rensing: "He speaks up if something occurs to him during certain routines, where my technique is off for example, or other things I could work on. He's always willing to give advice."
FCB.de: Cologne keeper Stefan Wessels was your predecessor. In four years as a professional, he managed a total of six Bundesliga appearances for Bayern. Doesn't that worry you?
Rensing: "No-one's going to dislodge Oliver Kahn as long as he wants to play. My aim is to learn a lot from him until he hangs up his boots in a few years' time, and just do my best. And Oliver Kahn's getting older, maybe he'll need a break every now and then (laughs). I'm only 19 years old. I'll still be young when Oliver Kahn takes off his gloves for the last time. My goal is to be his successor."
FCB.de: You spend part of your time with the seniors and part with the reserves. Is that a problem?
Rensing: "No. I train exclusively with the professional squad, but I play as often as possible with the reserves just to get match practice. That's very, very important for me. And I've now played twice for the senior side, in Newcastle and in Nuremberg. That was very special, of course, playing in front of a huge crowd and at an extraordinary pace. The players are totally committed, so it's a real help for my development."
FCB.de: The trip to Newcastle was your first outing as a professional. Were you very nervous?
Rensing: "Not at all. It was just like any other game: I was fired up and focused. In fact, I was even more up for it because it was the first time I'd played in front of anything like that kind of crowd. I've seen English grounds from the TV, the fans are right behind your goal and they totally get behind their team. It was a dream come true. I'd love to play in more games like that, it's hugely motivating."
FCB.de: People like Uli Hoeneß have been praising you to the skies over the last few months. Do you feel under pressure?
Rensing: "No. It doesn't bother me at all. There's always a lot of talk. When it goes well, you're a hero, but then you make a stupid mistake and you're crushed. I try to focus on myself and to perform well. The rest just follows automatically."
FCB.de: What helps you keep your feet on the ground?
Rensing: "My family and my best friends. They'll always bring me back down to earth if I ever get too carried away - although I don't think that will happen."
FCB.de: What's your personal goal for this season?
Rensing: "To avoid injury, carry on improving, and make as many appearances as possible."