#16 Andreas Ottl - TalkSoccer

**Oliver Kahn** · 29-09-2006, 14:55

Any 21-year-old nourishes dreams. For example, before the present campaign, Andreas Ottl dreamed of making the Bayern matchday squad as often as possible, and playing "a couple of times more" than his eight appearances last term.

Only last weekend, the youngster was dreaming of getting on the pitch at some point in Bayern's Champions League visit to Milan: "That would certainly be the highlight of my short career to date," he observed. Following a gala display on Wednesday, it does appear that this is the year when Andreas's dreams come true.

Ottl has started four of the champions' first five Bundesliga fixtures, and was part of the first eleven for his Champions League debut against Internazionale. From then on the midfielder stole the show. The authoritative kicker magazine named the Munich local boy man of the match, and Felix Magath praised him to the skies afterwards. "For someone of his age, it was an extraordinary display," the coach enthused.

Enforcer and general

Playing alongside Mark van Bommel in central midfield, Ottl shone both in disrupting Inter's efforts at fluency and providing impetus for his own side. "He's shown us he's a huge talent and a real contender," Karl-Heinz Rummenigge commented. "His composure in front of the back four was astounding," added Franz Beckenbauer.

In one sense, the Bayern youth product received his greatest accolade during the match with the substitution of direct opponent Luis Figo after 67 minutes. The Champions League newcomer clinically neutralised the former world player of the year, who was contesting his 131st European fixture. Crisp in the tackle and showing magnificent vision, Ottl won possession for his side on countless occasions, refusing to allow his opponents any time on the ball.

Still realistic

"He's demonstrated today that he genuinely has the aggression you need to fill the position at this level," Magath commented afterwards. The head coach was even more impressed at the way the 21-year-old "fundamentally directed the play for us. He did the fetching and carrying, he switched the play from flank to flank, and he found plenty of space. He was really excellent today."

The youngster himself was modesty personified. "I'm just delighted I got the chance to play in this wonderful stadium against such a great team," he declared, as cool and collected off the pitch as he was on it, evidenced by his reaction to a unanimous chorus of praise afterwards: "Things change quickly in football, so I don't want to get above myself," he remarked.

The dream continues

A stellar performance on and off the field means Ottl can realistically dream of a regular starting berth. "If he can keep it up consistently, he has an excellent chance of growing into a regular," Magath confirmed. Ottl still refused to get carried away. "I'm simply going to try and put myself forward. That's my goal," he insisted - although he is perfectly entitled to carry on dreaming.

**Oliver Kahn** · 29-09-2006, 14:58

Young and very talented.
He can do all defensive positions and can play as DM.
He played as DM against Inter, now that Hagreaves is injured, and he did a great job.
I expect big things from this guy, he was wanted by the European top clubs this summer, but decided to stay by signing a new contratc.

**Oliver Kahn** · 30-09-2006, 20:37

The youngster played again, this time against Wolfsburg, but he was sub at the 46 min while Bayern was losing.

**jec1** · 02-10-2006, 13:29

Who can you compare him to?

**Oliver Kahn** · 02-10-2006, 13:32

Don't know man, there aren't portuguese players like Ottl as he is very resoursefull and plays many positions.
I compare him, a bit, to Hagrevaes.

**Oliver Kahn** · 15-10-2006, 08:24

Ottl again was first choice for Bayern.
This kid is improving, I believe we found a new star.
If Hargreaves leaves, we already have a replacement.

**Oliver Kahn** · 18-10-2006, 17:53

Ottl saw a yellow crad but played wasn't bad.
Bayern beat Sporting 1-0

**Oliver Kahn** · 26-10-2006, 10:10

An Andreas Ottl header saw Bayern make the third round of the German Cup without ever shifting out of first gear against courageous but limited opponents.

**Oliver Kahn** · 28-10-2006, 09:40

Reaction to Bayern v Kaiserslautern

Andreas Ottl: "We're not on peak form at the moment, so that made winning and reaching the next round all the more important. We're not decisive enough in the last third, the final ball isn't finding the target, or we've been unlucky in front of goal. We'll work on these things, and all will be well."

**Oliver Kahn** · 05-11-2006, 14:03

Ottl scored Bayern's 2nd goal against Schalke on Bayern's 2-2 draw at Gelsenkirchen.

**Oliver Kahn** · 06-11-2006, 09:58

Reaction to Schalke v Bayern:

Andreas Ottl: "We deserve to be criticised for the first half. We were asleep for the first 30 minutes, we stood too far off our men, and we were always half a yard late to the ball. We were a lot better in the second half. We started the half well and dominated the game. Obviously I'm delighted about scoring. Pulling one back was a confidence-booster, and we could have gone on to win the game. Obviously, my real job is to defend and help keep a clean sheet."

**Oliver Kahn** · 19-11-2006, 10:08

Andreas Ottl broke into the first team last season with a commendable eight Bundesliga outings. The youngster has already surpassed that total by appearing in 11 of Bayern's 12 top-flight fixtures to date, and is a safe bet to make that a round dozen when leaders VfB Stuttgart visit the Allianz Arena on Saturday. Ahead of the match billed as the South German derby, fcbayern.de spoke to the club's third youngest senior pro, canvassing his views on the tight victory in Leverkusen, a restless crowd at the Allianz Arena, and Stuttgart's exciting young side - the third current leaders to visit Munich this term.

Interview: Andreas Ottl

fcbayern.de: Andreas, you've already seen off Nuremberg and Berlin, and on Saturday you welcome the latest Bundesliga leaders to the Allianz Arena. Technically, Bayern are not favourites to win the match, so how are you approaching the game?

Ottl: "Yes, it's a little out of the ordinary. Normally the rest are chasing up, but we're in the pack at the moment. We're four points behind Stuttgart, so it's vital we win on Saturday. We have to take all three points."

fcbayern.de: How do you rate your opponents?

Ottl: "They're on a roll, they're brimming with euphoria and they will be confident when they come to Munich. It's a very young team, they run hard and they're extremely enthusiastic. Striker Mario Gomez is rattling off the goals right now. We'll have to keep a close eye on him."

fcbayern.de: You must be grateful there was no Wednesday fixture this week.

Ottl: "We had two full days off, and I think that will have done everyone some good. It was a chance to recover from a tough few weeks, and it was also good news for the coach, as he's had a chance to get through plenty of work with us. We had almost the whole squad here in Munich, with just a couple away on international duty. I think we'll be in good form against VfB Stuttgart."

fcbayern.de: How relieved were the players after beating Leverkusen?

Ottl: "It was a crucial victory. Bremen slipped up, we spotted our chance and took it. Obviously we were aware of the turbulence around the club, but we just tried to maintain our belief and think positive. If we'd listened too hard to the media, we'd probably never have clawed our way back in Leverkusen. The fact we won it after going 2-1 down speaks volumes for our morale and attitude."

fcbayern.de: What do you think of the boos and whistles from the crowd at the last couple of home games?

Ottl: "Obviously you notice when the crowd gets restless. But the players weren't satisfied either. Against Stuttgart, we need to prove we have the desire, and get the fans in a positive mood by winning the match. A draw won't do. We need all three points."

**Oliver Kahn** · 19-11-2006, 10:09

He surprised many people by his good performances this season.
Will he be able to keep his spot in the team after Hargreaves returns ?

**Oliver Kahn** · 01-12-2006, 11:27

Ottl done a very good job, while Hargreaves was injured.

A great season for the youngster so far for Ottl.
He'll fight hard with Hargreaves, when the english mid returns to fitness

**Oliver Kahn** · 03-12-2006, 09:17

Andreas Ottl, a 21-year-old product of the club's youth system, has enjoyed an outstanding first third of the 2006-7 season. The defensive midfielder, regarded as a squad player at the beginning of the campaign, has won and retained a regular starting berth. A string of committed displays has now earned the likeable enforcer his first prestigious personal accolade, after the youngster was named Bayern Player of the Month for November in our monthly fans' poll.

"I'm aiming high this season. I want to show the coach he can rely on me," the blond-haired dynamo said back in the summer. Ottl made the holding role in front of the back four his own in the early weeks of the campaign, and later contributed vital goals too, including the strike to bring his side back into the 2-2 draw in Schalke after the Reds had gone two down in the first 20 minutes, plus the winner in the Cup at home to Kaiserslautern.

Ahead of Makaay and Schweini

Andreas garnered 34.9% of the votes cast in the November poll, finishing well ahead of last month's winner Roy Makaay on 22.2% and Bastian Schweinsteiger on 8.1%. "I'd like to thank everyone who voted for me. I'm really thrilled about finishing top of the poll, and I'll try and maintain my form or even improve in the coming weeks," the 21-year-old commented.

Player of the Month: Top Ten in November 2006:

1. Andreas Ottl 34.9%
2. Roy Makaay 22.2%
3. Bastian Schweinsteiger 8.1%
4. Claudio Pizarro 6.3%
5. Philipp Lahm 4.6%
6. Daniel van Buyten 3.9%
7. Oliver Kahn 3.6%
8. Mark van Bommel 3.5%
9. Martin Demichelis 3.3%
10. Hasan Salihamidzic 3.2%