Deniz Ofli and a neighbour’s wake-up call to join the Bayern first team

Deniz Ofli has been with the Bayern reserves at their training camp in sunny San Diego. The left-back has been working with the second team since the start of the year and is getting ready to play the second half of the season at adult level. Talking to fcbayern.com, Ofli talks about the training camp, his senior debut in a friendly and the dramatic story of his first call-up to the first team.

Interview with Deniz Ofli

Deniz, are you still buzzing from your ice hockey team event on Saturday?
Deniz Ofli: “It was a great experience to see this spectacle live. The opportunity to talk to the players in the Anaheim Ducks' dressing room afterwards is also something that can't be taken for granted. I've been to a game in Germany before. That was also exciting because I usually only watch football.”

So what do you watch at home – Bundesliga, Premier League, Serie A?
“I'm more of a Bundesliga guy and watch a lot of games, not just Bayern. But when there are interesting matches on, I also regularly follow the Premier League and Serie A. I'm particularly fond of the Italian league because there are a lot of Turkish players there, such as Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Kenan Yildiz. I follow his career with particular interest.”

How come?
“It's not about his position, but about the fact that he managed to become a professional. He also played here at the Campus and then made it abroad to the Türkiye national team. Of course, I’d also like to have such a successful career – preferably at Bayern. That motivates me.”

“Both sides are part of me”

You used to play for Germany, now you play for Türkiye. How did you come to that decision?
“I played for Germany until the U16s. However, Türkiye always made a big effort to get me, invited me and showed me a lot of trust and appreciation. That's why, and because of the prospects they showed me, I decided to play for Türkiye now. So far, it's going really well and I feel very comfortable with the association.”

But you feel at home in both countries.
“I was born in Munich, as was my mother. My father came to Germany when he was three years old. I feel very comfortable here. I grew up here and I really appreciate German culture. On the other hand, I’m also Turkish. Both sides are part of me and I’m proud to carry both cultures within me.”

Your family also has a special connection to Säbener Straße, right?
“That's right. My mum grew up on Säbener Straße and my uncle still lives there. When I train with the first team, I often go to see him afterwards. My family is very proud of me and supports me wherever they can.”

Stepping up to the first team

So you've had plenty of opportunities to visit your uncle over the past few weeks.
“Yes, I've been training with the first team for several weeks now. After the U19 match against Freiburg at the beginning of December, U19’s coach Peter Gaydarov informed me that I’d be allowed to train with the senior team the following week. I was incredibly happy, but it was completely new territory for me at first. However, the team made it easy for me and gave me a very warm welcome.”

How was your first session?
“I was very nervous at first. I didn't know what to say or where to stand. But that feeling goes away with time. It's a privilege to train with this team. But at the end of the day, we're all just human beings. That attitude helps me.”

Did you also get tips from experienced players?
“Yes, from Alphonso Davies, for example. We've been practising crosses together a lot in training over the last few days. He told me to be more versatile and to try new things every now and then. Tips like that are hugely important for my development.”

A neighbour’s help

Is it true that you only found out very late that you would be in the squad against Heidenheim?
“It's a crazy story. Two players in the senior squad got ill overnight, so I was called up to the squad at the last minute. I got a call early in the morning, but I didn't answer my mobile because I was asleep. My parents weren’t home that weekend and only my brother was there. Suddenly, I woke up hearing him running down the stairs to open the door. Then my neighbour was standing there and just said, ‘Wake Dada up immediately. He has to get up. He's in the Heidenheim squad today’. No one could reach me, so my mum mobilised the whole neighbourhood after Bayern called her. When I found out, I got up immediately, got ready and drove straight to Säbener Straße. I couldn't believe it.”

How was the bus journey to Heidenheim for you?
“I was full of adrenaline. The whole day went by like a film. I couldn't really relax during the journey or at the hotel. I was back home by 11pm and had to ask myself whether this day had really happened. It all went so fast.”

“It was just a wow moment”

You were able to prepare a little better for your first senior appearance. You were probably able to assume you were going to come on in the Salzburg friendly.
“Maybe that's why I wasn't nervous at all. The day before, René Marić told Felipe Chávez and me to pack our things – that's when I knew I might be playing. I slept normally and decided to just play my game and not try to be someone I'm not. When I came on, I was so focused that I hardly noticed the surroundings and the big stadium. You're in a tunnel and all you can think about is performing well. I think I managed that quite well.”

As well as you, a number of academy players were fielded, including Wisdom Mike, Javier Fernández, David Santos Daiber, Cassiano Kiala, Guido Della Rovere and Felipe Chávez. The latter even scored and set up Lennart Karl's goal.
“Felipe's goal was just a wow moment. We've known each other since the U13s and get on really well. He's one of my favourite people at the club. I'm always impressed by how much quality he has. He's had to overcome a few obstacles. If anyone deserves it, it's him.”

Stumbling blocks and comebacks

Things haven't always been as smooth sailing for you as they have been recently.
“My early days at Bayern weren't easy. I was quiet, reserved and hardly played. I was slow to settle in and was even close to leaving. But I persevered, trained harder and worked on myself – and it’s paid off.”

Who helped you the most?
“My parents, my brother and my best friend. We hardly ever talk about football at home, regardless of whether I play well or badly. That helps enormously to take the pressure off and clear my head. And, of course, my coaches, because they always believed in me.”

Looking ahead

Now you're part of the U23 squad at the training camp in San Diego. How does that feel?
“It's really special to be here at the training camp. The guys have given me a great welcome. Of course, I notice differences compared to the U19s because everything is more grown-up, but it feels good. The facilities here are outstanding and we have the ideal conditions to prepare for the second half of the season. My goal is to give my all in every training session and develop as much as possible.”

And what are your goals for the second half of the season?
“I just want to pick up where I left off, always give it my all, continue to develop and take the next steps. I firmly believe that I can go far if I keep going like this. That helps both the team and me personally.”

Follow the reserves at their training camp in the USA: