Halil Altintop interview: 'The biggest game to date'

It's probably the most significant match to date in the history of the FC Bayern Campus. This Tuesday (12 March, 16:00 CET), the German record champions' U19s host Olympiacos in the club's first ever UEFA Youth League quarter-final. Ahead of the prestigious clash against the Greek record champions' youngsters, fcbayern.com spoke to Halil Altintop, sporting director at the FC Bayern Campus, about the upcoming match, the qualities of opponents Olympiacos and the importance of the competition for German youth football.

Interview with Halil Altintop

Mr Altintop, on Tuesday the biggest U19 match in the history of the FC Bayern Campus takes place. How much are you looking forward to this clash against Olympiacos?
Halil Altintop: "All of us at the Campus are certainly looking forward to this game very much. Our team have absolutely earned this with good performances and a confident, battling attitude. The first half against Feyenoord was a particular highlight of our play. The public and media interest is going to be even greater against Olympiacos. For a lot of these lads, it's certainly the biggest game to date at club level in their young careers."

What kind of opponents and game are you anticipating? 
"Olympiacos qualified for the quarter-finals via the Champions' Path as Greek champions. In the knockout stages they've beaten Inter Milan and then RC Lens on penalties, so we have to be prepared for opponents with strong nerves. I also expect a technically well-versed and physically strong side, who will definitely demand everything of us. We just need to play football like we did in the first half against Feyenoord for 90 minutes and show the same fight and passion that we did after they pulled it back to 3-2. If we do that I fancy our chances of writing the next chapter in this year's success story."

Reaching the quarter-finals was already a history success for the Campus. What would progression to the final four in Nyon mean?
"It would certainly be a major success for the FC Bayern youth. It would also be a statement for the whole of German football if we and perhaps also Mainz 05 made the finals tournament. But for the players in particular, progression would be extremely valuable. They learn a huge amount from every game in this competition against the best teams from across Europe, and gain important experience for their further careers. And that's primarily what it's about: we want to encourage and test our talents in the best way, in order to develop as many professional players as possible."

More information on the match against Olympiacos: