Resurgent Demichelis: 'My time has come'

FCBayernNews · News fetcher Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 1240 votes: 2

27.10.2006

The enforced changes caused by injury within Bayern's defensive ranks has opened up a huge opportunity for Martin Demichelis. In the absence of Valerien Ismaël (double leg fracture) and Lucio (ligaments), the Argentine who would normally appear in midfield is now virtually guaranteed a starting berth at centre-half alongside Daniel van Buyten.

"I hope my time has come," Demichelis declared ahead of Saturday's meeting with Eintracht Frankfurt, where he is hoping to build on a solid performance against Kaiserslautern in the Cup. "I'm very pleased with our defence, especially Martin Demichelis. He was a class act today," coach Felix Magath enthused following the midweek clash.

Good communication

It was the 25-year-old's first outing at centre-back in six months, and the first time he had played alongside giant Belgian van Buyten. "Fortunately, I had a good game," he reflected with a note of relief, insisting the switch from defensive midfield had not been a problem: "Daniel and I communicated well."

The player nicknamed Micho is now determined to regain the starting berth he held down with such elan and panache before Christmas last year, a run in the side which boosted his hopes of appearing at the World Cup. However, his form fell away in the new year, he missed out on the global showdown, and surgery in the summer left him struggling to catch up.

Mentally drained

"I was trying too hard," the player recalled. "I let the pressure get to me, I thought about nothing but football, and forgot I have another life out there. I was mentally shot. But now I'm a lot calmer." Nevertheless, Micho continues to make high demands of himself: "I want my starting place back. I don't mind whether it's at centre-half or in midfield, I'm ready to play anywhere."

Demichelis accepts the fact that Owen Hargreaves and most recently youth product Andreas Ottl have moved ahead of him in the midfield pecking order. "I'm delighted for Andi, he's a great lad and a good player. I have no objections whatsoever to him playing." Ottl is the more attacking player, but Demichelis regards his strengths as lying in defence, the Argentine continued.

International ambitions shelved

"I like tackling, and provided I'm fit, I believe my aggression helps the team," he reasoned. Regarding Saturday's match, "we have to work harder and play better football. We must invest more. We don't enjoy winning the way we did against Kaiserslautern."

The 25-year-old has put his international ambitions on the back burner for the time being. "Bayern is all that matters for the time being. Obviously I'd be proud if I was called up for the national team again, but my priority is to do well here."