Created on 03-07-2009 at 00:00 AM
The total newcomers to Bayern such as Mario Gomez, Anatoliy Timoshchuk and Danijel Pranjic are still finding their way around the Säbener Strasse complex, but the situation is rather different for Andreas Görlitz. The 27-year-old defender is back in Munich after two years on loan with Karlsruher SC, and is determined to seize his second chance at a regular berth with Germany's most successful club.
"Meeting up with so many people again is great," Görlitz commented after Friday training, summing up his impressions since returning to his former club on Wednesday. Görlitz, who appeared in a red jersey from 2004 to 2007, feels anything but a newcomer, even though he only made 18 Bundesliga appearances for FCB due to a series of wearisome injuries. "There are still lots of people I know in the team, at the club, and in the head office. You feel at home straight away."
Seasoned and mature
That could be a minor advantage for the man born in Weilheim, because settling in should not be much of a problem. Görlitz also feels his status as an outside bet could yet prove to be a benefit. "It's a comfortable position for me, because not many people think I'll make it." Four weeks remain until the start of the campaign in August, and the defender intends to use the time "putting myself forward and showing what I can do. I hope it goes smoothly this time."