Normal service resumed by match-winner Deisler

FCBayernNews · News fetcher Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 1321 votes: 2

26.11.2006

Reporters were quizzing players in the Mixed Zone after Bayern's 2-1 victory in Hamburg on Saturday, when Sebastian Deisler trotted in from the field of play and dived into the away dressing room. The door closed, and the assembled press pack heard a shout of joy combined with a touch of relief, as if to confirm: Sebastian Deisler is back with a vengeance.

A week following a symbolic 18-second comeback appearance at home to Stuttgart, the 26-year-old took another giant stride back towards footballing normality after replacing Andreas Ottl at half-time in Hamburg with Bayern a goal down. Operating down the inside-right channel, the midfielder showed authority, vision and occasional flashes of genius as he made the single most important contribution to the visitors claiming their third away win of the campaign.

Outstanding display

"Sebastian proved that when he's fit, he's world class. It was an outstanding display," Germany international Philipp Lahm admired. "He was pure class," club President Franz Beckenbauer enthused after watching Deisler provide the assists for both Bayern's goals.

Munich's number 26 had his first decisive moment in the 57th minute as he cut inside, drawing HSV defenders Atouba and Trochowski before releasing Roy Makaay with a slide-rule angled ball. "The pass for the equaliser was superb," commented the Dutch ace, who was left with the relatively simple task of prodding home from eight yards.

Future looks bright

Deisler's vision was on display in the 79th minute when he charged to the dead-ball line before dragging the ball back, where the unmarked Claudio Pizarro side-footed home the winner. The gifted but sensitive player was the object of a chorus of praise afterwards. "I'm unbelievably pleased for him. He turned the match on its head," general manager Uli Hoeneß remarked.

Coach Felix Magath was equally thrilled by the performance from the man capped 36 times by Germany. "He hit he ground running and was the star for 45 minutes. That makes me very hopeful for the future." Makaay declared himself "delighted Sebastian's back. We all know what he's capable of. We saw it again today, and I'm convinced he'll just get better as the season goes on."

Still needs time

The Dutch goal-getter advised patience as Deisler continue to find his feet. "The media should stay off his back and not try and talk him straight back into the national team. They should let him get on with it here with us." Hoeneß was in full agreement: "Let's not all be praising him to the skies yet. He needs time to get back to his former best."

And what of the player himself? 'Basti' was his characteristically modest self after the final whistle. The man who has spent countless months on the treatment table and has now undergone knee surgery on six occasions said he was "taking each game as it comes. I just went out there looking to enjoy myself, just like I've always done. I manager a full half today and I think I helped the team. We've come from behind to win, so it couldn't be better."

Mirage

Future looks bright

Does now Very Happy