Tim Borowski reported for his first day at Bayern on Thursday morning to find his locker situated next to Hans-Jörg Butt, the club's only other summer signing so far. Like the number two keeper, 28-year-old Borowski also hails from the north of Germany, but their positions next to each other in the dressing room were entirely coincidental.
However, it is absolutely no coincidence that Borowski has opted to follow a number of outstanding seasons at Werder Bremen with a switch to Bayern. "After twelve years in Bremen, I was looking for a new challenge," Borowski reported on his first day at the Säbener Strasse. "I want to win medals and celebrate triumphs," the man capped 33 times by Germany stated when asked why he had chosen Munich.
Reunion with Klinsmann
With the decision to leave Werder already taken at the end of the season before last, events moved swiftly once FCB had declared an interest. "Bayern are one of the best clubs in the world. I don't think you should be mulling it over for long if offered the chance to come here," commented Borowski, assigned the squad number 24 at his new club.
The appointment of Jürgen Klinsmann as new Munich coach merely confirmed the midfielder had made the right decision. "You obviously take something like that as the icing on the cake. Naturally, I was happy and began looking forward to the challenge even more," remarked the player, a Germany squad regular during Klinsmann's spell at the national helm.
Improving on last term
The newcomer is bristling with determination. "We should set ourselves the goal of doing better than last season," Borowski declared. That would mean not only retaining the domestic double, but also going as far as possible in the Champions League. "We want to give a good account of ourselves internationally.“
Borowski is hoping to be "a major component“ of a successful season, despite the fierce battle for places at the club. "You have that everywhere, although the pressure might be a little heavier here. I knew about it before I signed, and I'm ready for it. I'll accept the fight and I'm looking forward to it.“
Infused with Bayern genes
The mifielder does not yet know exactly where he fits into Klinsmann's plans. "My versatility has always been a plus. I can play in the centre, but I've also proved I can operate out wide.“ In any case, he was feeling "really good and top fit. I'm looking forward to getting going.“ He felt himself absorbing the oft-quoted Bayern genes on his very first day: "You sense it the minute you arrive.“
The player who describes himself as a "level-headed, family man“ has already sorted out his private life in Munich, taking a house with wife Lena and daughter Emilia in "the lovely district to the south-west of Munich“. His three-week vacation after the Euro 2008 final had been spent almost entirely in the Bavarian capital, "to settle in, and get to know the city and the people.“ Tim Borowski certainly knows his place and his priorities.
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