bastian
Jan 28 2004, 07:34 PM
Trochowski:
Carefree kid with a serious future
28.01.2004 | The diehards who spend their mornings watching Bayern in training are gradually getting used to an almost daily phenomenon: Michael Ballack and company have returned to the dressing room, but Piotr Trochowski is still hard at it out on the pitch, practising his shooting, sending over a few crosses or simply working with the ball at his feet.
"It's something I just have to do," the 19 year-old told fcbayern.de, "I'm only truly satisfied if I've put in a bit of overtime. I just feel better if I know I've done a bit more than the rest. I used to do it as a youth, it's a bit of fun really."
Fun and a carefree disposition are central to the player's personality, especially when he is caressing the ball with his tiny feet (he takes size 6) and juggling the pill for minutes on end, before turning to the seasoned observers and even the hardened press pack, apparently looking for a round of applause like a circus artist, perhaps.
And even if the plaudits are not forthcoming, Trochowski is guaranteed admiring stares, as he is prodigiously gifted: he is equally at home with both feet - "It doesn't bother me, I can play with both right and left, I don't even notice the difference" - and worked hard on this aspect as a youth. "I was always outside knocking the ball about until it got dark," he remembers.
The son of a decorator, born in the small Polish town of Tczew, Trochowski also possesses outstanding technique and a cannonball shot. "Yes, you've named my strengths," he confirmed. But what of his weaknesses? "I get over-excited, I need to learn to calm things down." Understandable enough on a 19 year-old, you might think.
The club is excited about its rising star's potential: the player was promoted to the first team squad this term, although he continues to appear for the reserves in the Third Division South: provided there is no clash with the Bundesliga, Piotr is to be found with his old mates from the second string on a Sunday afternoon. "It's vital I get match practice, and this is the best way," he says: it was his own choice to accept a role in both the first and reserve teams.
He appeared three times in the top flight before Christmas, firing his first senior goal in the final match before the winter break in Freiburg: "I know it was 'only' the sixth, but it was very special for me," he smiles.
The attacking midfielder is hoping to add to his appearances total in the rest of the campaign, and he has a strong supporter in coach Ottmar Hitzfeld. "It's my priority, more appearances, more minutes on the field, more chances to show what I can do." As for what the future holds, the 19 year-old says he is happy to wait-and-see: "I take each day as it comes." Trochowski has a contract with the club until 2005.
The Germany youth international is certainly not short on self-belief: "I'm convinced I have what it takes to make the breakthrough, even here at Bayern," he declares. Looks like those diehards could be enjoying the after-hours Trochowski show for some time to come.
Carefree kid with a serious future
28.01.2004 | The diehards who spend their mornings watching Bayern in training are gradually getting used to an almost daily phenomenon: Michael Ballack and company have returned to the dressing room, but Piotr Trochowski is still hard at it out on the pitch, practising his shooting, sending over a few crosses or simply working with the ball at his feet.
"It's something I just have to do," the 19 year-old told fcbayern.de, "I'm only truly satisfied if I've put in a bit of overtime. I just feel better if I know I've done a bit more than the rest. I used to do it as a youth, it's a bit of fun really."
Fun and a carefree disposition are central to the player's personality, especially when he is caressing the ball with his tiny feet (he takes size 6) and juggling the pill for minutes on end, before turning to the seasoned observers and even the hardened press pack, apparently looking for a round of applause like a circus artist, perhaps.
And even if the plaudits are not forthcoming, Trochowski is guaranteed admiring stares, as he is prodigiously gifted: he is equally at home with both feet - "It doesn't bother me, I can play with both right and left, I don't even notice the difference" - and worked hard on this aspect as a youth. "I was always outside knocking the ball about until it got dark," he remembers.
The son of a decorator, born in the small Polish town of Tczew, Trochowski also possesses outstanding technique and a cannonball shot. "Yes, you've named my strengths," he confirmed. But what of his weaknesses? "I get over-excited, I need to learn to calm things down." Understandable enough on a 19 year-old, you might think.
The club is excited about its rising star's potential: the player was promoted to the first team squad this term, although he continues to appear for the reserves in the Third Division South: provided there is no clash with the Bundesliga, Piotr is to be found with his old mates from the second string on a Sunday afternoon. "It's vital I get match practice, and this is the best way," he says: it was his own choice to accept a role in both the first and reserve teams.
He appeared three times in the top flight before Christmas, firing his first senior goal in the final match before the winter break in Freiburg: "I know it was 'only' the sixth, but it was very special for me," he smiles.
The attacking midfielder is hoping to add to his appearances total in the rest of the campaign, and he has a strong supporter in coach Ottmar Hitzfeld. "It's my priority, more appearances, more minutes on the field, more chances to show what I can do." As for what the future holds, the 19 year-old says he is happy to wait-and-see: "I take each day as it comes." Trochowski has a contract with the club until 2005.
The Germany youth international is certainly not short on self-belief: "I'm convinced I have what it takes to make the breakthrough, even here at Bayern," he declares. Looks like those diehards could be enjoying the after-hours Trochowski show for some time to come.