A day after signing for Bayern, Massimo Oddo got straight down to work in the Performance Centre at the Säbener Strasse, completing a series of flexibility and stamina tests before spending 20 minutes on the training ground in a practice match with his new team-mates. But that was not all for the Italian newcomer, who went on to perform a series of individually tailored stamina-building exercises.
Oddo completed his first working day at the Säbener Strasse in the afternoon, before the 32-year-old flew back to Milan. "It's all happened incredibly fast. I need to organise a few personal matters," he told FCB.tv. Oddo is due back in Munich on Sunday.
The Italian international confessed he was all but overwhelmed by his first impressions of life at Bayern. "I knew I was moving to a big club with a great team, but now I'm here and I've seen everything for myself, it's all completely positive," he declared. "He did a double-take when he was shown the Performance Centre,“ reported coach Jürgen Klinsmann.
Oddo's switch from AC Milan to Bayern was arguably less of a surprise. "We were in touch last year but nothing came of it," Oddo revealed, "but I wanted to leave Milan this summer and a number of clubs were interested. That's when Bayern revived their interest.“
From an FCB point of view, injuries to Hamit Altintop and Willy Sagnol had prompted the club to re-enter the transfer market, Klinsmann explained. Bayern were aware that Gianluca Zambrotta's arrival in Milan had led to Oddo becoming available. "We knew about the situation in Milan," Klinsmann confirmed.
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