Sven Ulreich: You have to know your place in a team

Sven Ulreich deputised for Manuel Neuer brilliantly in the early part of the season. As a number two, you always have to be ready for your moment, says the 35-year-old about his role in the team.

The interview with Sven Ulreich

Sven, you've been one of the players of the first half of the season for FC Bayern with your performances as stand-in for Manuel Neuer. Is there one save that particularly sticks in the memory?
"There were a lot of highlights for me in the first half of the season, including some games with one or two very good moments from me. For example in the game at Copenhagen, where I went to ground at the last second and clawed the ball off the line. I certainly enjoyed that one."

Then Manuel Neuer returned and you had to step aside for him again. How tough was that for you?
"When you're so in the game, when it's going well, then of course it's not easy at first to sit on the bench again. However, I know what my role is here at FC Bayern. I was also really happy when Manu was back. It was always clear to me that I would help him in training to have a good comeback. We work as a team."

Yet you're actually two rivals.
"Competition is part of the game – in fact it's fundamental to making it far in sport. But in a team it's also crucial to know your place. We have a clear hierarchy, Manu is the number one. But he knows he has to give 100 percent in every training session because he's challenged by Daniel Peretz and me. He also needs that to achieve the maximum. The relationship between Manu and me goes beyond that of colleagues. We have become friends over the many years we have worked together. And that's also important for me because I need to feel comfortable in order to perform at my best."

How long has it taken to feel comfortable as a number two and accept the role?
"When FC Bayern wanted to sign me from Stuttgart, my first thought was: 'Wow! Cool! Bayern!' But then, in the next moment, I realised: number two? I was 26 and that wasn't how I envisaged it in my career plan, although after a few nights of thinking, I saw in the offer a great chance for me to progress. Through working with Manu and this world-class team on a daily basis, I've been able to learn a great deal. I was aware that some people maybe didn't understand that, but for me it was a step forward."

You saw it as a kind of further training.
"I wanted to gain experiences that would bring me on overall and open new doors for me. But then everything developed in such a way that I have been renewing my contract ever since. I've also been playing regularly and I always feel the confidence in me here. Over time, I've grown fond of the team, the club, the environment and everything. I see it as a privilege to be able to work here as a number two."

You got a long round of applause from the members at the AGM in November. What did that mean to you?
"I was obviously pleased that the members value what I've done for the club, so it means a lot to me. I've always said that FC Bayern is like family to me."

You're now on 98 appearances in an FCB shirt. That's more than Andy Brehme and Jürgen Klinsmann.
"I'm certainly proud of that. I hope there are one or two more games to come, so that I can complete the 100."

The Bundesliga resumes in the new year on 12 January. Is the short break enough to get the freshness back?
"My wife says that I always get restless after about two weeks of holiday. Then I miss the pitch, where I get to let off steam. I certainly look forward to when it gets going again. And my wife is probably also glad when I'm not in the way at home as much anymore (laughs)."

Ulreich's teammate Leroy Sané was also interviewed for "51":