Forgotten man Görlitz makes sparkling return

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

25.02.2007

Shortly before the interval in Bayern's meeting with Wolfsburg on Saturday, Andreas Görlitz smacked the Allianz Arena turf with his left hand, got up onto one knee and clenched his fists, before finally rising to both feet and pounding the air in front of the south terrace. It was the celebration of a goal scorer - except Görlitz had in fact just prevented a goal being scored.

"I knew it was worth almost as much as a goal, which is why I was overjoyed," the player explained following his side's 2-1 victory over the Wolves. Andreas had nicked the ball off Diego Klimowicz' toe with the Argentine poised to stroke home from two yards and cancel out Bayern's hard-earned 1-0 lead.

Return to starting line-up

Just for a moment, the 25-year-old gave free rein to his emotions, and with good reason: it was his first start for the senior side since 30 October 2004, almost 28 months ago. His dramatic intervention in defence was by no means his only contribution on a momentous afternoon.

Operating down the right flank in tandem with makeshift full-back Hasan Salihamidzic, Görlitz gleefully took on man and sent over several inviting crosses, although neither Lukas Podolski nor Claudio Pizarro was able to convert early in the second half. Andreas was rewarded with warm applause from the 69,000 crowd when he was substituted 15 minutes from time.

Repaying coach's faith

"I think I gave a good account of myself," the midfielder commented after returning from the wilderness and a total of five operations on his knee. "You don't forget how to play football. And it was relatively easy, because we played well as a team. That helped me settle into the match," he explained. Görlitz made a brief return to competitive action as a sub against Arminia Bielefeld two weeks ago.

Ottmar Hitzfeld was satisfied with the player who had threatened to become the club's forgotten man. "I'm delighted for him. He's regained the confidence to take on his man," the head coach remarked, insisting he had no qualms about fielding the 25-year-old. "Andi was very good in the last 30 minutes against Bielefeld. He repaid my faith today."

Seizing his chance

Görlitz thus seized the chance to launch himself into contention for a regular berth, and also improve his chances of an extension when his current contract expires this summer. However, the man capped twice by Germany was not interested in the future on Saturday evening. "I'm just delighted I've had the chance to show I'm back," he declared.