Created on 05-01-2009 at 00:00 AM
Not many people know that Michael Rensing has already won the German domestic double three times with Bayern. It’s perhaps little surprise, as the 24-year-old generally performed a background role – until this season.
After fully five years as Oliver Kahn’s deputy, Rensing stepped up to the number one goalkeeping role following Kahn’s retirement from the game last summer. “I’m really enjoying it, and it’s a fantastic feeling to be the number one,” he declared on Monday in Dubai.
Rensing has protected the Bayern goal in every single competitive fixture so far this term. It has been a roller-coaster six months for the player, featuring both highs and lows. “We weren’t sorted in defence in the first couple of months, and that includes me. But it improved all the time after that, and the last two months were really terrific,” the former Germany U-21 international opined.
Evidence of progress
An easily-explained lack of match practice caused ‘Rense’ a nervous moment or two in the first few fixtures, but he has steadily emerged as a rock-solid last line of defence in all three competitions, and has earned his side more than just a handful of points with crucial saves. “Playing regularly has given me the rhythm I need,” he reasons.
“We regard his development as very positive,” commented Jürgen Klinsmann. It was never going to be easy for Rensing to follow in the footsteps of Oliver Kahn, one of the best goalkeepers of all time. “We’ve frequently spoken internally about the need to give him time. We had to allow him to make mistakes, as that was the only way he could grow. For us, he’s definitely grown,” the Bayern coach stated, “he’s taken a giant stride, both as a personality and as a keeper.”