Kahn: 'It's become a question of character'

FCBayernNews · News fetcher Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 1395 votes: 2

19.02.2007

Long term Bayern observers were beginning to worry a little about Oliver Kahn, as the veteran keeper has appeared curiously resigned to his fate behind a leaky defence since the winter break. Following the 3-0 reverse in Nuremberg, even Ottmar Hitzfeld wistfully yearned for a return of the man "who used to kick in the dressing room door."

Those minor concerns were banished at the weekend, when the man fondly known as 'Vul-Kahn' for his propensity to erupt in anger at unworthy displays showed flashes of his trademark explosive passion during and after Bayern's 1-0 defeat in Aachen.

The keeper was already simmering after a messy goal against on 10 minutes. Following a world-class stop to deny Jan Schlaudraff on the stroke of half-time, centre-half Daniel van Buyten received a verbal and physical lecture he is unlikely to forget in a hurry. And at the final whistle, the club captain was involved in a prolonged and heated exchange with combative Alemannia striker Sascha Rösler.

A man who's had enough

"There comes a moment when I have to fight back. I can't be going to Dortmund, Nuremberg and Aachen, getting my ass kicked every time, and just grin and bear it when the crowd gets on my back," Kahn fumed on Sunday, fed up to the back teeth with his side's dismal form.

"What we need now are battlers and lads who are ready to stand up to the situation," the captain raged. "It's become a question of character. Every player has to recognise it's all or nothing for the club. We can't just turn up and collect the benefits. The time has come to give something back to this football club."

UEFA Cup, no thank you

Echoing remarks made by coach Hitzfeld, Kahn questioned the attitude shown by some of his team-mates in the battle for a Champions League qualifying place. "I'm hoping none of this somehow goes over some people's heads. If that's the case, they have no place in the team," the keeper continued. "With all due respect to the competition, I have no desire to appear in the UEFA Cup next season."

Kahn demanded an injection of passion and aggression, "and then we'll make our own luck." Now was the time to cease moaning and move on. "I'm a man with a certain sense of honour. You can't be satisfied at giving up the points every time we travel. You have to force the issue sometimes, and not resign yourself to your fate."

Hitzfeld: Kahn is a role model

Despite Saturday's reverse, Hitzfeld was extremely pleased with his captain. "I liked the look of Oliver Kahn yesterday. He was passion personified, he was at boiling point and showed 100 percent determination," the coach commented on Sunday. All that, and without kicking in the dressing room door too.