#1 Michael Rensing ~ Unbeaten in CL - TalkSoccer

**Oliver_Kahn** · 18-12-2006, 05:09 PM

Junior Team boss Werner Kern describes Michael Rensing as "the goalkeeping talent of the decade," while Uli Hoeneß is expecting great things from the high school graduate, who joined Bayern from TuS Lingen in 2000: "He's the best reserve keeper we've had for years." Oliver Kahn's understudy enters his second season as a pro after keeping clean sheets in both his 2003-4 Bundesliga appearances against Hamburg and Schalke, and his personal goal of taking over from Kahn at Bayern after 2006 looks well within the bounds of possibility. "I work with Sepp Maier and Oliver Kahn, and that's the best coaching team in the world," the player enthuses.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 18-12-2006, 05:10 PM

He is a very good goalkeeper.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 18-12-2006, 05:10 PM

The Bayern line-up for Wednesday evening's DFB German Cup Round of 16 tie away to Alemannia Aachen will feature Michael Rensing in goal in place of Oliver Kahn. "I want to give Michael a chance," coach Felix Magath explained following Saturday's 4-0 victory in Mainz. The move was discussed and agreed with the club captain in advance. "It's good for him to play in that kind of game," the veteran keeper commented, before setting off for his Christmas vacation a little earlier than his team-mates.

"Michael Rensing is Oliver Kahn's designated successor in goal for us, so I believe he needs match practice when there's something at stake. I have complete faith in him," the boss commented.

Lucky charm

Rensing, a frequent starter for the Bayern reserves in the German third division south, is set for his second senior outing of the 2006-7 campaign. The 22-year-old kept goal in the Reds' 2-1 extra-time victory against St Pauli in the first round of the Cup.

The highly-rated young shot-stopper has proved a lucky charm on his previous outings with the first team. Bayern are undefeated in all 16 matches to have featured Rensing so far.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 18-12-2006, 05:10 PM

It's always good to give him an opurtunity

**Oliver_Kahn** · 27-12-2006, 06:04 PM

Rensing plays, Bayern loses and conceeds 4 goals.

Any connection ?

**Oliver_Kahn** · 14-03-2007, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Michael Rensing says he wants to leave the club should Oliver Kahn be handed a contract extension beyond 2008.

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge revealed that he would like to see Kahn between the posts at Bayern for longer than his current deal, a decision that has angered the Bundesliga giants' number two.

"Up until now there has only been Bayern for me, but from now on I’m open to offers from other clubs,” fumed the 22-year-old.

“I just can’t understand what Mr Rummenigge is playing at when he suddenly decides to go back on agreements.

“If he isn’t planning with me beyond 2008 then I’d rather leave. There comes a time when your pain barrier has been reached."

The former Germany Under 21 star has played 17 first team games for Bayern, losing just once.

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**Trim** · 14-03-2007, 07:08 PM

I'd rather see Rensing keeping than Oliver Kahn next season.
But I can't see Rensing being a starting goalkeeper for us.
I mean, even if Kahn retires, Rensing won't be a starter.
Bayern will bring a new goalkeeper most likely to replace Kahn.
Rensing is very young and very unexperienced.
I don't understand why didn't Bayern loan him yet. It might be too late now.
I can understand why he wants to leave us.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 14-03-2007, 07:10 PM

If we sign Boruc, then our goalkeeper problems will be over.

Rensing is a good keeper, but he doesn't have what it takes to be a starter for Bayern.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 27-03-2007, 04:31 PM

Michael Rensing was chatting to journalists outside the dressing rooms at the Grünwald stadium following the Bayern reserves' comfortable 3-0 victory over SSV Reutlingen on Saturday when second team boss Hermann Gerland strolled by. "Don't both talking to him. He's only made one save today," the coach nicknamed Tiger commented with a grin, clapping his keeper affectionately on the shoulder.

Indeed, Rensing had only a bit part in the reserves' third division south outing at the weekend, but the situation could be dramatically different in a week or so from now. Should a one-match UEFA ban imposed on Oliver Kahn not be rescinded on appeal, the 22-year-old number two goalkeeper would stand between the sticks for the Champions League quarter-final first leg away to AC Milan on 3 April.

Reunion with Milan

"It would be the absolute highlight of my career so far," Rensing told fcbayern.de. "I've made a few appearances in the Bundesliga and for the Germany U-21s, but in terms of significance, Milan would be very special." Kahn's designated successor as first-choice keeper at the club is ready and raring to go if called upon to make one of his rare forays into the world of top-class European club football.

In fact, the only previous such occasion came almost exactly a year ago in February 2006, when Rensing made his first and to date only Champions League appearance. The first knockout round opponents on that occasion were the same AC Milan. "I know it ended in a 1-1 home draw, but I have fond memories of the match," the keeper recalled. He was beaten from the Allianz Arena penalty spot that night, "but otherwise, my first Champions League game went well."

Two first-team run-outs this term

The 22-year-old has good reason to be pleased with almost all his outings with the senior side so far. In 17 Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League appearances, his only defeat came in the Cup exit against Aachen last December. That match was also his most recent for the first-team and his second of the current season, to go with 15 matches for the reserves.

"I've not played a lot in recent times," the player acknowledged, making him potentially even more fired up for the challenge in northern Italy than some of the more experienced stars. "I'd be really thrilled if I play," he concluded, fully aware that an evening stopping shots at the San Siro in Milan would be a much busier affair than an afternoon at the Grünwald stadium against SSV Reutlingen.

**Trim** · 27-03-2007, 04:59 PM

I'm not bothered whether Rensing or Kahn stand between the sticks...

**Oliver_Kahn** · 27-03-2007, 05:03 PM

The defence has more confidence on Kahn then on Rensing. So I think Kahn's absence will afect their game

**Trim** · 27-03-2007, 05:09 PM

Yeah, that's a fact, indeed.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 04-04-2007, 12:32 PM

He did some great saves, but he was to blame on the first goal. How Pirlo lobbed him with a header inside the box is beyong me. Anyway, I think he was ok.

**Trim** · 04-04-2007, 06:52 PM

That goal came just because of his unexperience. He learned one lesson yesterday. However, he had a fanastic performance, I loved his reflexes.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 04-04-2007, 10:45 PM

In an ironic twist of fate, Michael Rensing's name was drawn as one of the Bayern players for the obligatory UEFA doping control following a memorable Champions League evening in Milan. An unfortunate incident during the same procedure after the Round of 16 meeting with Real Madrid at the Allianz Arena had cost Oliver Kahn a ban and his place between the ticks in northern Italy, but number two keeper Rensing took the hour or so's delay on Tuesday evening with good humour.

The young reserve shone against the serial Italian champions, providing further evidence of why Bayern regard him as Kahn's natural successor. "I'm delighted for Michael, because he's completely fulfilled our expectations," admiring coach Ottmar Hitzfeld summarised. "He's kept his head in this hostile atmosphere, and that shows he's top class," no less a commentator than Franz Beckenbauer added.

Brilliant reflexes

Rensing pulled off two stunning reflex saves to prevent Ambrosini and Gilardino opening the scoring with point-blank headers, but the Bayern boss felt the youngster's performance over the 90 minutes was the real reason to offer praise. "He plays a team role. He collects a loose ball, throws it out at once, and adds pace to the game. That's the modern way, the keeper has to be able to play football," the General observed. Added chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: "He was stability personified, and helped us come away with a good result."

"I'm happy I've earned praise for my performance, and that I had a chance to show I can be trusted in difficult matches," the player himself commented, not without a touch of understandable relief in his voice. "It's a meaningful test for his future career," captain on the night Willy Sagnol acknowledged beforehand.

Rotation in goal on the cards

Rensing passed the test with flying colours. "He's one for the future," Hitzfeld agreed, although his time will only truly come when Oliver Kahn finally hangs up his gloves, in all likelihood at the end of next season. "The situation at the club is clear enough, and that won't change as a result of a single match," Rensing conceded. Kahn will remain the number one with Rensing as his understudy, Hitzfeld confirmed. "The faith shown by the coaching staff and the players will boost Michael's confidence. It'll help him readjust to his reserve role," the coach continued.

"It was a real highlight. I'd like it to happen more often," Rensing commented, immediately receiving encouragement from his coach. "He'll get another chance again at some point, and maybe it'll be more frequent than before, but we'll have to see," Hitzfeld